2024 Food Forum celebrates the rich history of dining out in New Orleans

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS — The Historic New Orleans Collection’s (HNOC) annual Food Forum returns Saturday, Nov. 9 and explores the rich history of New Orleans restaurants with food historians, restaurateurs, chefs and culture bearers. New Orleans Restaurants Through History features innovative discussions, a private lunch at Antoine’s featuring historic recipes and a Food Fête reception showcasing beloved chefs from neighborhood restaurants

“The New Orleans restaurant scene may be world famous, but to locals, it’s deeply personal,” says HNOC President and CEO, Daniel Hammer. “We keep maître d’s on speed dial, our favorite servers know our birthdays, and the corner market leaves the pickles off our po’boys.”  

The 2024 Food Forum has a jam-packed lineup of amazing speakers and discussions including Peggy Scott Laborde as she takes a look back at historic New Orleans restaurant;  Poppy Tooker’s exploration of how restaurants kept the plate spinning while surviving calamities like war, loss of family ownership, storms and physical space challenges; Megan Braden-Perry and Justin Nystrom pull the veil back on the convenience of neighbor joints and some of the best kept secret spots; the legendary Dooky Chase as he talks about the heart of New Orleans: Black-owned restaurants; Zella Palmer, Claudia Portillo, Adolfo Garcia and Melissa Araujo’s panel discussion around Latin American restaurants; and of course the history of New Orleans cocktails with Elizabeth Pierce.

Taste history at a private lunch at Antoine’s Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in the United States that has been continuously run by the same family. Rick Blount, great-great grandson of Antoine Alciatore, will oversee the creation of a historic menu while marketing director Lisa Blount will share family stories and discuss the recent donation of the restaurant’s papers to the HNOC. This optional activity has an additional charge of $75 and seats are limited.

Following the day’s sessions, the Food Fête will offer guests signature tastes from local historic neighborhood restaurants curated by local food writer Megan Braden-Perry and an open bar including wine, champagne, and signature cocktails created by Eve Marie Haydel, Dooky Chase’s mixologist. The Food Fête is included in the ticket price for session attendees. Food Fête tickets may be purchased separately for $20.

Since 2010, the Historic New Orleans Collection and Dr. Jessica B. Harris, author and food historian, have hosted the Food Forum, a program focused on the culinary practices of New Orleans and the Gulf region. Past Food Forums have explored topics such as the histories of pork, rum, coffee, pralines and New Orleans’s world-famous festival foods.

The 2024 Food Forum is presented by Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends in partnership with the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund, Oceana Grill and Big Easy Whiskey.

Celebrate the rich history of dining out in New Orleans by registering for the Food Forum at hnoc.org. Food Forum tickets are $60 and space is limited.

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About the Historic New Orleans Collection
Founded in 1966, the Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the stewardship of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.                                                                                                               

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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