Cafe Hope's Trailblazer Melissa Martin; Chafunkta!

MARRERO? Cafe Hope's chef Melissa Martin has been selected as a finalist for Cooking Light magazine's Best Neighborhood Chef as part of their annual Trailblazing Chef Awards. Now it's up to you to vote for Melissa. Go to the magazine's Facebook page to vote, and check out Cafe's Hope page to see the great work they do with at-risk teens. [Eaterwire]

LGD? Ryan Hughes is throwing down "Nashville" style at this Friday's Purloo pop up at Creole Gardens (1415 Prytania St.). The $52 five-course dinner includes a dish called "Freshwater trout Duane Allmandine." Cocktails starts at 6:30, dinner at 7:30. [Eaterwire]

NOLA? It's Brewsday Tuesday, and Nora McGunnigle reports that Louisiana brewery Chafunkta "officially debuted last night at the Avenue Pub, The Bulldog Uptown" and more bars. The brewery has a Vanilla Coffee Porter called Old 504 and a double IPA called Voo Ka Ray IPA available in NOLA. Look for Chafunkta this week at bars/restaurants including Cochon and Squeal. [Gambit]

Cafe Hope's Melissa Martin [Photo: Cafe Hope/Rush Jagoe]