| By ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer |
Welcome back, New Orleans food fans! This week, Ian McNulty and Chelsea Shannon take us inside a hidden gem restaurant to kick off a new video series. See the New Orleans semifinalists in the running for a prestigious James Beard award. Why are there so many rival Randazzo king cake shops? Hubig's Pies announces the return of pineapple pies — the last original flavor to rejoin the roster. And a Bayou St. John bake shop called Nolita has a backstory to go with its classic king cake. Finally, if you need a break from parade food, Liz Williams has fresh and healthy recipes for tabbouleh, broccoli soup and blueberry sorbet. 1. Lunch bunch. Have you ever wanted to join a food writer for a meal out on the job? Check out our new video series, which invites you along to do just that with dining scribes Ian McNulty and Chelsea Shannon. 2. Eyes on the prize? There’s a new slate of New Orleans restaurants and chefs in the running for this year’s James Beard Foundation awards. Among the hopefuls: Dakar NOLA, Jewel of the South and Arnaud's. 3. Wait! There's more. Manny Randazzo Jr. started selling king cake in 1992 using a family recipe. Criminal charges and lawsuits ensued. Hubig's pineapple pies, a nostalgic favorite, are finally coming back. And New Orleans bake shop Nolita is a story of redemption — and coveted king cake. 4. Fresh 'n' fancy. Packed with fresh fruit and veggies, these dishes are a welcome break in the parade of Carnival season party platters. This week, Liz Williams brings us recipes for tabbouleh, broccoli soup and blueberry sorbet. In New Orleans, the food news never stops. Keep up with all the inside info at Where NOLA Eats. P.S.: Want to support local journalism that matters? Subscribe here. It's our best deal! | 