Newcomb Brings Prison Gourmet to the Table

• The Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, in partnership with Los Angeles artist Karla Diaz, presents "Prison Gourmet: New Orleans Cook-Off,” a workshop and community gathering highlighting “dishes created by formerly incarcerated women,” using common and often unexpected ingredients and tools, on May 22, from 5 pm-7 pm at Sister Hearts Thrift Store (7519 W. Judge Perez Drive) in Arabi.

What comes out of the event will inform “will inform Diaz's performance planned for the Newcomb Art Museum's spring 2018 exhibition focused on mass incarceration in Louisiana...exploring the politics of food, especially with respect to power, memory, race, and culture.”

Diaz began thinking about prison food while her brother was in prison, making her aware of the ways prisoners improvised recipes using limited tools and ingredients. Her work has been exhibited at the Whitney Museum in New York, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. [NOLA.COM]

• New Orleans is the nation’s number one food city, according to Travel and Leisure. Charleston ranks second and NYC ranks third. [T+L]
• The 44th annual Greek Fest on Bayou St. John is adding a meze plate (with tzatziki, chickpea salad, dolmades, and pita) and a “Dionysian Delight” wine spritzer to the menu this year. [NOLA.COM] http://www.nola.com/food/index.ssf/2017/05/greek_fest_adds_tapas_to_the_m.html#incart_m-rpt-2
• Chef Toya Boudy, a personal chef in New Orleans, will compete on Food Network Star, which premieres on June 4 at 8 pm. Ann Maloney interviews her. [NOLA.COM]