Tujague's Cookbook: Creole Recipes and Lore in the New Orleans Grand Tradition

by Poppy Tooker

From brunch to dessert, these kitchen madams serve up history New Orleans style! Author and culinary historian Poppy Tooker masterfully combines all the myriad strands that fill the rooms of Tujague's beautifully restored establishment into a whole cloth of foodie lore. As the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Tujague's boasts more than a century of fresh Creole cuisine served in the heart of the French Quarter. More than a cookbook, this foray into history combines memorabilia from the restaurant's archives with stunning modern images from New Orleans photographers Sam Hanna and Louis Sahuc. The dramatic story of the successful effort to save the restaurant is included, along with tales of ghostly guests and authentic dishes and drinks celebrating the oldest standup bar in America and the restaurant that created the international tradition of brunch.

Genres: Cooking

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Poppy Tooker is a native New Orleanian who has spent her life immersed in the vibrant colors and flavors of her hometown.

Louisiana Eats, the NPR member affiliated weekly radio show produced and hosted by Poppy Tooker takes listeners into the fields, the waters, the markets and kitchens to hear from the people who maintain the state’s storied food traditions and create new culinary magic inspired by the wealth of Louisiana’s food culture.

Poppy contributes colorful food commentary on WYES, the New Orleans PBS affiliate's weekly arts and entertainment show, Steppin' Out. She has shared the screen with television celebrities such as Extreme Cuisine’s Jeff Corwin, Foodography’s Mo Rocca and even Bobby Flay could not resist a Throwdown with Poppy. Her famous seafood gumbo proved unbeatable on the popular Food Network show!

Poppy’s on camera flair has been viewed across the world in documentary projects such as Savouring the World and Taste of New Zealand. The History Channel enlisted her whimsical point of view for the Holiday Foods episode of America Eats. Poppy was a featured guest on Dining After Hours with Chef Daniel Boulud.

Reviews

[Redsteve]

Solid mix of history and recipes combined with B&W and color photos from one of New Orleans most storied restaurants. Oh yes, and a ghost story as well, but, hey, New Orleans. From its founding in 1856 as a place for French immigrant butchers to get massive late breakfasts to the present time as one of the FQ's grande dames, Tujaque's is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans (Antoine's was founded in 1840). It has changed ownership several times and has changed location twice (but always on Decatur street). The last move was in 2020, after this book was published. THE TUJAQUE'S COOKBOOK contains a good mix of old and new recipes, mostly traditional French or Louisiana Creole. My only complaint is that this book could have included MORE recipes; there are a lot of food pictures and blank space, giving this edition a "coffee table" feel. 3.5 stars.