The art of tasting in NOLA

Need a reason to brave the swelter of New Orleans in June? This sounds fun, elegant and like a cool opportunity if you happen to be passing through the Big Easy near the middle of the month.

The Consulate General of France and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum present The Art of Tasting, a gourmet dinner at Mélange restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, on Thursday, June 19. The Ritz is on the border of the French Quarter on Canal Street. Tres chic.

This culinary event features a specially paired menu with wines selected by Jacques Puisais, founder of the "Institut du Goût" (Taste Institute) in Paris, in collaboration with Mathew Murphy, chef of The Ritz-Carlton. The dinner, presented as a theater performance by Jacques Puisais, renowned as the James Beard of France, will explore the relationship between the senses and food. Mixing his scientific knowledge with his poetic sensibility, he has created a "philosophy of taste."

Only a Frenchman could pull this off.

"The Art of tasting" is Thursday June 19, 2008, 6-9 p.m., Mélange Restaurant, the Ritz-Carlton 921 Canal Street. NOLAInformation and reservations: 504-670-2828

The dinner costs $125 and is given in support of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the Riverwalk, New Orleans.

If that's too steep, but you still want to hear him, Puisais will also speak at the new Southern Food and Beverage Museum on Saturday, June 14, at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum at the Riverwalk at 2 p.m. He will discuss gastronomy and educating children's palates.