Gastronomy and New Orleans, a serious affair!

Before you start your trip, here's a little background on the identity and specific characteristics of this cuisine. The irresistible cuisine of New Orleans is a skilful blend of influences.

Creole, French, Latin and African flavours are sure to tantalise your taste buds! Cajun cuisine is the result. Spices are essential to give the dishes their distinctive character.

Regional cuisine is based on the richness of local produce. Rice, sugar cane, fish, crayfish, oysters, prawns... Thanks to the generous nature of Louisiana, the result on the plate is surprising.

As an added bonus, if you want to see just how important food is, just take a look at the city's calendar.

• New Orleans Wine and Food Experience in June (featuring the best chefs in the city and region).
• Tales of the Cocktails, an original festival promoting the world of cocktails and spirits, to be enjoyed in moderation!
• Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, a festival that combines jazz and food, only in NOLA!

Soul food is also a cuisine that originated in the southern United States. Here, in the Afro-American district of Tremé, Soul Food is king. This rich, comforting cuisine includes the famous fried chicken, sautéed prawns, green tomato fritters and the original chicken and waffles combo!

Lil' Dizzy's: an old-fashioned diner where hearty, plump dishes have been attracting a varied clientele for years. Classics include grilled chicken, po-boy and beans with all the trimmings.

Several service providers offer culinary workshops. The most immersive experience is taking a cooking class.

Although there is a wide range on offer, we recommend the New Orleans School of Cooking. During your visit, you'll attend classes and also have the chance to practise under the guidance of a chef.

This school is a benchmark, so make sure you book in advance, as cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before your arrival.

The school is also home to The Louisiana General Store. A veritable Ali Baba's cave for food lovers.

Food tours are also available. During these itineraries, you'll learn about the history of local cuisine and get to know the must-visit addresses (restaurants, shops). You'll also be able to sample some of the local specialities.

Galatoire's restaurant is a must in New Orleans. Gourmets are in for a treat. Established in 1905, the restaurant bears the name of its founder Jean Galatoire. The recipes, a blend of French and Creole cuisine, will delight the most discerning palates. Original specialities include crab and oyster kebabs.

Head for Café du Monde, one of the city's must-visit addresses since 1862! The specialities here are chicory coffee and the famous and tasty sugar-covered doughnuts, baked on the premises. Sit under the green and white awnings or take away.

Let's head for the Pontchartrain Hotel, a luxury establishment in the sought-after Garden District. The hotel is already a pleasant surprise, with its smart, comfortable rooms.

But the main attraction is the restaurant. The Jack Rose is a nugget, and the décor is a colourful journey in itself. Then there's the cuisine, which takes you to new tasting lands. It's an address you'll love.

A few emblematic recipes:

A clever blend of influences, New Orleans cuisine is rich and full of flavour. Here are 3 dishes that are emblematic of the city and its region.

• Jambalaya: a rice-based culinary speciality, emblematic of Louisiana and New Orleans. It covers a multitude of spicy rice-based recipes, including meat or seafood. Jambalaya Creole rice, which highlights the mix of land and sea (sausages and prawns).
• Gumbo: a stew made with a strongly flavoured broth, meat or shellfish, a thickener and vegetables (onions, peppers and onions). Several types of thickener are used (gumbo, roux).

• The Po boy Sandwich: this is a sandwich, or rather a local institution, that can include oysters! In fact, it consists of fried meat or seafood. Served in an equivalent of French bread.