Celebrate SoFAB's Grand Opening With These Cool Weekend Events

Now that the Southern Food and Beverage Museum has had time to settle into its brand new Central City digs, Ian McNulty reports that three days of partying and events are planned for this weekend in honor of the grand opening. Here are the events you don't want to miss.

FRIDAY

Eat! Drink! SoFAB!: This $145/person galas features live entertainment and food from Purloo, plus cooking demos from chef Justin Devillier and Poppy Tooker in the brand new kitchen/Rouse's Culinary Innovation Center by Jenn-Air , and Lillet-based drinks from legendary bartender Dale Degroff. Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

Tenney Flynn's cooking class: The mastermind behind GW Fin's kitchen, chef Flynn will teach budding cooks how to maximize the most of their fish with 'nose to tail' cooking. Saturday, April 18, 2 p.m. Free.

Purloo: The all-things-Southern regional restaurant from chef Ryan Hughes features a gorgeous open kitchen, lots of great dishes, and an impressive cocktail program from bartender Mark Schettler at a restored bar salvaged from Bruning's. Open Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 5 to 11 p.m.

*Also on Saturday, FREE admission to SoFAB from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and a lecture on the history of barbecue at 5 p.m. with expert Steven Raichlen.

SUNDAY

Tariq Hanna's pastry demo: The brilliant pastry chef behind Sucre and the newly opened restaurant Salon By Sucre presents a pastry-making presentation. Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m.

*Also on Saturday, FREE admission to SoFAB from 11 to 5:30 p.m.

ALL WEEKEND

FREE Exhibits: Sam Hanna's photography installation. Steven Raichlen's Trail of Smoke & Fire exhibit. Antoine's 175th exhibit, and 'Makin Groceries' exhibit on New Orleans historic Old Dryades market and history of groceris.

Further Coverage: Times-Pic, Lonely Planet, MyNewOrleans.com