King cake is here!

Where NOLA Eats

Welcome back, New Orleans food fans! Saturday is Twelfth Night, aka first night for king cakes. Here's everything you need to know about shipping, buying and eating king cake this year. We shadowed Frank Brigtsen in his restaurant, Brigtsen's, to learn how he's passing down culinary lore to a new generation of chefs. Celebrate with king cake parties all over town. Dong Phuong Bakery has posted its official list of king cake retailers for 2024. Crazy Johnnie's Steakhouse in Metairie closed years ago, but the return of its sauce line sparked rumors that the restaurant itself might come back. And finally, if you'd enjoy the challenge of making your own king cake, do it in style with this recipe for Judy Walker's galette des rois, or French king cake.

1. Tradition, baked in.

Carnival begins Saturday with parades and parties, and of course king cake is a centerpiece of those. Here's what you need to know about new bakeries and old favorites, plus how to ship the local pastry.

2. The next course?

Frank Brigtsen's career in New Orleans cuisine has been a long and storied. But today, his work is very much fixed on the future, sharing that cuisine with new generations. Ian McNulty profiled the legendary chef at his restaurant, Brigtsen's, for The Times-Picayune's Guardians series.

3. Wait! There's more.

King cake parties around New Orleans will celebrate the first slice of the season, including one Friday night. We have the list of places to buy Dong Phuong cakes — a local favorite, always in demand. And we look behind rumors of the return of Crazy Johnnie's steakhouse in Metairie.

4. Have your king cake, eat it too.

Sure, anyone can pick up a king cake at a bakery. But if you really want to impress, consider whipping up your own homemade galette des rois, the sumptuous French-style king cake, with Judy Walker's recipe.

In New Orleans, the food news never stops. Keep up with all the inside info at Where NOLA Eats.

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