Explore the rich culinary history of New Orleans on a tour that combines a cooking class with a French Quarter cocktail tour. First, learn about the basics of Louisiana cuisine from a professional chef during an entertaining demonstration, then sample classics such as jambalaya, gumbo, and pralines.
When your cooking class ends you will have a few minutes to shop in the General Store before your tour guide arrives at the School to pick you up for the second part of your tour. Admire the architecture of the French Quarter as you stroll through the neighborhood, stopping in historic bars to sip the Big Easy’s most celebrated cocktails. You'll discover the flavors and culture of New Orleans during this fun and informative tour! Your cocktail tour guide will meet you outside of the cooking school by 4:15pm. Three drinks are included in the price.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ New Orleans cooking demonstration class
✔ Recipes, custom spice packet, and a discount at the General Store
✔ Guided Cocktail Walking Tour
✔ Generous food samplings, coffee, iced tea and beer at the Cooking School
✔ Drink Special Coupon
✔ 3 classic cocktails, including taxes and service gratuities
✖ Gratuities
✖ Additional alcoholic beverages are available for purchase
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
2pm Cooking Demonstration followed by a Cocktail Walking Tour. The Cocktail Walking Tour guide will "pick you up" outside of the Cooking School. The Gray Line tour guide will arrive between 4pm-4:15pm. Make sure you are outside and waiting.
Itinerary
1
Start your food and cocktail tour with a 2-hour cooking demo at the New Orleans School of Cooking. A professional chef prepares classic specialties such as jambalaya, gumbo and pralines while you watch and learn. The class is served with a side of local history that goes into the spices that are essential to Cajun and Creole flavors. The modern-day cuisine of New Orleans opens a window onto the city’s rich cultural history, with its roots in the traditions of French, Spanish, Native American and African cooking.
When the class demonstration finishes, snack on generous samples of the dishes, accompanied by complimentary coffee, iced tea and beer. Be sure to take the provided recipe booklet to try making the dishes at home! Please note: Participants do not cook during the culinary demo.
Duration: 2 hours
2
French Quarter
After your introduction to Cajun and Creole cuisine, stroll through the historic streets of the French Quarter on a cocktail tour with an expert guide. Learn about the origins of Southern Comfort, invented in New Orleans in 1874. The classic Sazerac cocktail goes back even further to 1850!
Examine the Spanish and French-inspired colonial architecture as your guide shares fascinating stories about the world-famous neighborhood, including the bars and cocktails created here.
After a fun and fascinating 4-hour cooking class and cocktail tour, return to your starting point in the early evening to end your tour.
Duration: 2 hours
3
Enter the Court of Two Sisters’ Carriageway Bar through the charm gates, wrought in Spain and blessed by Queen Isabella. Now a restaurant world-famous for its jazz brunch and courtyard canopied by a 130-year-old wisteria vine, the block has maintained a lively history since 1726.
4
Peychaud's
Relax in the former residence of Antoine Peychaud, the Creole apothecary who prescribed and dispensed his patented herbal Peychaud’s Bitters, which would later become the key ingredient in the Sazerac, America’s first cocktail and the official cocktail of New Orleans.
5
St. Louis Cathedral
At the intersection of two cobblestone alleys in the shadows of the St. Louis Cathedral, is a legendary pirate hangout. There you’ll meet the “green fairy” known as Absinthe, the mystical herbal elixir that induced intoxicating creativity in many authors, artists, poets and musicians.
6
Fritzel's European Jazz Bar
There’s nothing like soul-stirring jazz to raise your spirits. Your tour ends on a high note at Fritzel's, not your typical dive bar. This jazz pub features the who’s who of New Orleans jazz, drawing jazz aficionados from around the world. You're welcome to stay for the show, then walk to dinner at one of many fine French Quarter restaurants nearby.
Additional info
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Your experience will start at the New Orleans School of Cooking
• Please note: This is a demonstration class only; there is no hands-on training
• In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels
• Minimum age is 21 years
• Your cocktail tour guide will meet you outside of the cooking school before 4:15pm.
