New Orleans' kitchens are home to a world of flavors. French colonists, African slaves and Native Americans have influenced what goes into the gumbo pot, and have shaped the festivals for which Creoles, Cajuns and other Louisiana locals are famous. This book takes you from Mardi Gras crowds to laid-back bayou country. It gives you the knowledge needed to feast at JazzFest, dissect countless crawfish, and find the perfect French Quarter bar. You'll delight in the potent mix of history and style found in the foods of New Orleans and Lousisiana.