The James Beard Foundation has tapped New Orleans as the official kickoff city for its 2026–2027 Taste America series. The Sept. 16 event at The Josephine (2400 Napoleon Ave.) will bring all 20 of the Foundation’s TasteTwenty chefs (its annual “ones to watch” list) under one roof for a walk-around tasting, essentially letting guests eat their way across America in a single evening, with Mister Mao Chef Sophina Uong, a James Beard Award Semifinalist, representing New Orleans. Dickie Brennan serves as Host Committee Chairman, joined by a roster of local luminaries including Ti Martin, Donald Link, Ana Castro and Susan Spicer. Proceeds benefit JBF’s programming supporting independent restaurants. jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.
Summering in Provence… Sort of
This month, conjure the lush, sun-drenched lavender fields of Provence during Restaurant R’evolution’s Cellar Experience. The series continues on Sept. 16 with a Provence-themed evening led by Certified Sommelier and Wine Director Clayton Fox. The ongoing series pairs deep wine knowledge with the restaurant’s acclaimed culinary program. In August, the first installment explored “Island Life,” and featured wines with grapes “grown near water” (think Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and other European islands), paired with plates inspired by summer. The evenings are designed to transport, with the September edition focusing on a thoughtfully curated wine selection paired with Provençal-inspired dishes. Upcoming wine and food experiences include “Little Treasures of Bordeaux” on Oct. 21 and “The Rhone from Top to Bottom,” on Nov. 11. revolutionnola.com.
Keep Cool: September Edition
Never mind that the calendar says September. In New Orleans, we all know ice cream season has no end date, and Uptown’s new Ruthie’s Frozen Custard is making a compelling case for year-round indulgence. The Freret Street neighborhood newcomer is scooping dense, velvety frozen custard in cones and sundaes, a notch richer than standard soft serve and significantly more dangerous to your willpower. Consider this your permission slip. Not that you needed one. Sign up for Ruthie’s newsletter to get the scoop (#sorrynotsorry) on weekly flavor drops. ruthiesfrozencustard.com.
Finger Lickin’ Great
Yes, it took us an embarrassingly long time to make it to Bonafried’s permanent digs — forgive us, it opened in January, and a lot has been going on, OK — but the wait was worth every crispy, gloriously sauced bite. Housed in the former Splish Splash Washateria off Esplanade Avenue in Mid-City’s Bayou St. John neighborhood, founders Stephen Maher and Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth have made the space their own with colorful and nostalgic decor and, of course, the pair’s addictive fried chicken sandos. 3101 Grand Route St. John. instagram.com/bonafriedtruck.
A Long Awaited Tome
Chef Frank Brigtsen has spent more than 50 years in the kitchen and now home cooks can benefit from his experience and talent. “Color of Flavor” is part memoir, part cookbook, tracing beloved and much-celebrated chef’s path from Commander’s Palace to K-Paul’s to his own beloved Riverbend cottage, Brigtsen’s Restaurant, which he owns with his wife, Marna. The title is a riff on one of Brigtsen’s signature kitchen maxims, “brown is the color of flavor.” According to Nola.com, the book was financed and produced by Blue Runner Foods owner Ricky Thomas, a longtime regular. Brigtsen has collected countless accolades in his career, including one of Food & Wine’s Top Ten Best New Chefs in America; America’s Best Chef: Southeast by the James Beard Foundation Awards; Restaurateur of the Year, as well as Hall of Fame inductee by the Louisiana Restaurant Association; and Chef of the Year by this magazine. Pick up a copy of the cookbook at Brigtsen’s Restaurant, 723 Dante St., or at bluerunnerfoods.com.
