St. Lucia Considers Nina Compton a National Treasure

NOTABLE QUOTABLE — Nina Compton is a national treasure. In a meeting between representatives from Panama and St. Lucia to renew diplomatic ties and find areas of cooperation, St. Lucia’s Governor General Sir Neville Cenac joked to the Panamanian rep, “I note too, your culinary talents, and your apparent desire to have us commit gastronomical suicide. Should such be the case, Nina Compton, whose culinary fame in the United States has brought as much pride to us as have our Nobel Laureates, is there to defend us. It is there alone, I think we can be of the greatest benefit to you, in culinary arts.” [ST. LUCIA NEWS]

CELEBRITIES — Meanwhile, Compton spoke with the Hollywood Reporter about that time Tom Cruise came into Compére Lapin and ordered tuna tartar and chicken. [HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]

OPENING ALERTS — Two exciting openings this week. Morrow’s opened on St. Claude with New Orleans and Korean influences. [GAMBIT]

Meanwhile, Boil Seafood House brought Vietnamese crawfish (and much more) to Magazine Street. [ADVOCATE]

ACCIDENTS — Guy’s Po-boys, which was shut down for nearly half a year after an allegedly drunk driver drove a truck through the shop’s front door in December 2015, narrowly escaped a similar incident when a Nissan Altima crashed into a bench next to it during the lunch hour on Tuesday. No one was seriously hurt. The house next to the po-boy shop was though. [ADVOCATE]

CRAWFISH WIRE — Where Y’at is exploring how crawfish get from the pond to the pot. [WHERE Y’AT]

NEWS — Lawmakers may make all bars and casinos in New Orleans smoke-free and vape-free. The Health and Welfare Committee will consider the bill in a few days. [FOX8]

DEADLINES — Chefs, hurry. Today’s the last day to turn in an application for the 11th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off on June 19 at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette. Applications are due April 13. More info here. [ADVOCATE]

EVENTWIRE — Toups South is partnering with NYC-based Austrian chef Marcus Glocker for five courses of wiener schnitzel, raw oysters, crawfish bisque with mousseline-stuffed heads, and more on April 18. Tickets are $100. Call Toups South at (504) 304-2147 to reserve a seat.

NEWS — Maybe not the most exciting news before the weekend, but here’s how many years alcohol takes off your life, according to the CDC. [4WWL]

EXPANSIONS — Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant just opened a 13,000-square foot outpost in Oranjestad, Aruba. It’s the second international location of the Kirkendoll-Management-owned bar. Other locations are in New Orleans, Key West, and Costa Rica. [Press Release]

FESTIVAL WIRE — The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival returns on April 13 through 15. [4WWL]

AWARDS SEASON — Renee Guzman, chef at Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken, and Waffles was crowned the reigning queen of red beans at this year’s Bean Madness. The competition ran bracket-style in the theme of March Madness, starting with 57 teams. Joey K’s was runner-up. [press release]

Pamela Reed