Food Tasting in NOLA

A reminder, in case you're headed to The Big Easy this week:

The Consulate General of France and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum present The Art of Tasting, a gourmet dinner presented at the Mélange restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans, Thursday June 19, 2008.

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." Jacques Puisais has traveled the world, teaching his philosophy of appreciating the simple pleasures of taste.

The Art of tasting is Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mélange Restaurant, the Ritz-Carlton 921 Canal Street, NOLAInformation and reservations: 504.524.1331

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