Around New Orleans, the JazzFest hangover is in full effect. But a handful of Crescent City culinary craftsman went right from the busy weekend up to New York City for the annual James Beard Foundation Awards (livestream here) . As is usually the case at the "Oscars of the food world," the pickers didn't leave out New Orleans as Chef Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace brought home some hardware, and Emeril was honored for his philanthropy.

From almost a dozen nods in the semfinals, five New Orleans interests have made the final cut for the James Beard Awards, set to be given out on May 6 in New York City. New Orleans once again outpaces the rest of the region in the Best Chef: South category, and will see one of her own earn recognition for giving something back.

by Sarah Esenwein

Local New Orleans restaurants and chefs once again found themselves on one of the most coveted lists in the industry today, as the 2013 James Beard semifinalist list saved some space for culinary masters from Alon to Zemanick. The Beard awards are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals and some of the local nominees are no stranger to being nominated, with one chef hoping to secure a consecutive second time win.

Big Easy Bites returns for a special holiday edition. Jennifer Abbott plums the New Orleans tradition of reveillon dinners, which nowadays is found both in the restaurant and at home.

A few years ago, Commander’s Palace introduced a prix-fixe lunch (with 25 cent martinis!) allowing everyday y’ats to join the St. Charles set in the Garden Room. NoDef has been enjoying the impeccable service and turtle soup ever since, but we have always wondered, “What surprises does Chef Tory McPhail have have in store beyond that last swirl of Brandy?” Last week, the Commander's executive chef descended upon the backroom of a French Quarter antique shop to prepare a secret feast, and answered that very question.