Final Day of Personal Chef Conference New Orleans, LA

Mustard crusted ham hock with stewed shell peas & greens at COCHON!

Louisiana cochon with turnips, cabbage & cracklins at COCHON! 

Fried Rabbit Livers for lunch at COCHON!

Chef Lauren's Favorite Creme Brulee Fois Gras with Goose Liver Pate @ Restaurant Cuvee

A wonderful impromptu street band performance, Incredible!!!!

The last full day of conference began with a fabulous class about Press Releases with Mia Andrews, President of the Canadian Personal Chef Association.  The class was not only informative but enlightening as everyone shared their successes and experiences with the press and overall exposure to the Personal Chef business.  The day began with a visit from renowned New Orleans chef Frank Brightsen who took time out from his busy day as chef of Brightsen's restaurant to talk with the Personal Chefs in attendance about the seafood industry in the aftermath of the oil spill and to assure us that the seafood is safe to eat.  Chef Frank also spoke with us about the culinary history of New Orleans and the current state of the restaurant business in the aftermath of Katrina.
Chef Lauren and hubby Keith headed out to lunch to once again enjoy the culinary talents of Chef Donald Link (also of Herbsaint) at his ever popular restaurant Cochon in the warehouse district.  The atmosphere is upbeat and energizing and the food is incredible!  Check out their website at http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/
For dinner we headed to our favorite New Orleans restaurant Restaurant Cuvee.  The service at this incredibly romantic restaurant is truly impeccable and the menu and wine list are beyond compare.  My favorite dish, which I always enjoy as my entree rather than an appetizer, is the Creme Brulee Fois Gras with Goose liver pate...I know it doesn't sound appetizing to some but I dare you to try this gastronomic delite without dreaming of it long after your trip to New Orleans is merely a memory!  Restaurant Cuvee is the highlight of our trip in spite of the many wonderful restaurants that we enjoyed during our trip to New Orleans.  Check it out on your next trip to NOLA, you won't be disappointed http://www.restaurantcuvee.com/