It’s been 33 years since Creole Feast was published and there has never been another book like it. Today we’re taking time to feature a book that highlights the accomplishments of great African American chefs  from the Big Easy.

Mardi Gras is just around the corner, on March 5th this year and most visitors will plan to arrive no later than Saturday, March 5, 2011 in order to enjoy an extended weekend of festivities. If you have never been to New Orleans and you would like to “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll) there is one place you must go and one chef you must see.

For all those apple loves, bakers, cooks and those who have always wanted to know all there is about apples, this is one of the most creatively written text that has come along in ages. Old Southern Apples became an instant classic when it first appeared in 1995. It is a must have reference book for all fruit lovers and anyone living in the southern United States.

If you have not noticed there is a holiday for practically every day of the week and this Thursday, January 27th is no exception. Thursday is Chocolate Cake Day. Cakes have been around since ancient time, although they were quite different from what we are accustomed to, since they were more bread like in texture and sweetened with honey and filled with dried fruits and nuts. In fact, the words bread and cake were somewhat used interchangeable and these cakes were usually cooked on a hot stone.

I recently ran across a 1930s book by Kathryn Bele Niles titled Family Table Service. I picked the little metal wire bound book at King’s Book Store in Detroit, Michigan years ago. I thought it was a rather informative little book since it carefully outlines what every good hostess should know about table service. We’re winding down from the 2010 holiday festivities and I’ve been reviewing all those gala’s, office parties and end of the year family gatherings and started to think about how rude folks can be when they are sitting at a dining table. This idea was edged on by a lovely Christmas gift from my daughter, Whoopi Goldberg’s new book Is It Just Me? Or is ti nuts out there? In the book she takes a keen look at all the horrid, unbelievable acts humans continue to display in 2011. You would think at some point we would get a clue, but not so.