New Orleans without food is like a day without the sun. Its famous cuisine plays a significant role in its history and culture, and to share that experience with the community, the Center for the Study of New Orleans presents NOLALoyola 2011: Live to Eat, a day filled with food, knowledge and music.
“I am really excited,” said Leslie Parr, mass communication professor and CSNO director. “Food is a subject that is near and dear to New Orleanians’ hearts and there is something that will appeal to everyone,” she said.
The tripartite event will kick off on September 30 at 9 a.m. with a presentation of papers and a panel conference in Monroe Library’s Multi-Media Rooms 1 and 2. Scholars from across the nation will discuss the city’s culture of food.
“People will learn more about the culture of the city in general by looking at food, and by looking at the origins of different foods and receipts,” Parr said.
If this makes guests hungry, they can experience what New Orleans has to offer during the lunch break.
“We have two food vendors, Boucherie’s ‘Purple Truck’ and Woody’s Fish Tacos,” Parr said.
Guests can sample the local food at the Peace Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. while enjoying the tunes from the Davis Rogan Band, who some may know from the HBO series “Treme.”
After lunch, the conferences will resume until 4:15 p.m.
Live to Eat will conclude with its keynote evening event, “New Orleans on a Plate: A Conversation about Legendary Fare,” which will feature local chefs Ti Martin of Commander’s Palace, Leah Chase of Dooky Chase and JoAnn Clevenger of Upperline at 7:30 p.m. in Nunemaker Auditorium, located on the third floor of Monroe Hall.
“I think this event will offer non-New Orleans natives great insight on the food and culture that the city offers from different perspectives,” said Sasha Poche, marketing senior. “They can get a real sense of the soul and tradition that New Orleans food is famous for.”
Though the Live to Eat event is limited to this year for now, Parr says the CSNO has more exciting events to celebrate New Orleans’ culture and society in the works.
“We plan on making NOLALoyola an annual event,” Parr said.
CSNO’s next event focuses on New Orleans’ culture of music, combining scholarly academic work with entertainment and the celebration of the city. Parr said this event will be held in conjunction with Family Weekend.
“I think this is a very good opportunity because a lot of people visiting New Orleans or that are new to New Orleans don’t always have the chance to experience New Orleans’ culture in depth, and this program provides that opportunity,” said John McCann, marketing senior.
Live to Eat is free to the public and guests can register for the event between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sept. 30 in Monroe Library’s first floor conference room, also known as the “Living Room.”
Sable Lefrere can be reached at
