The Cellar Restaurant

CompanyThe New Orleans Cooking Experience is dedicated to the wonders of the Louisiana kitchen and the pleasures of the table. We offer cooking vacations, half-day, private and special event classes to visitors and local New Orleanians. The highly personalized classes focus on authentic Creole cooking. Regular classes are limited to ten, and include instruction, recipes, wines and conclude with a multi-course dinner party. Special event classes are available for groups of ten to 60+. The cuisine is classic Creole New Orleans plus a little Cajun, and classes are taught on residential equipment so that students will be able to reproduce the recipes at home.Frank Brigtsen graciously agreed to create the course curriculum for the New Orleans Cooking Experience and teaches classes on a regular basis. Brigtsen is at the forefront of a new generation of New Orleans chefs who are revitalizing Creole/Acadian cooking. Co-owner of Brigtsen's Restaurant with his wife, Marna, Frank has applied an inventive personal touch to seven years of training in classic Louisiana cooking under internationally acclaimed Chef Paul Prudhomme. Patrons praise his ability to ingeniously incorporate local ingredients into his unique menu. Brigtsen's has a long and celebrated list of honors including:Chiqui Collier, a native New Orleanian, has owned and operated a catering company for over 27 years. Additionally her company specializes in providing desserts, wedding cakes and baked goods to other area caterers. She also worked as sous chef and pastry chef for Ristorante Pastore. Chiqui is the author of "Cookery N'Orleans Style" featuring New Orleans home cooking, family recipes and reminiscences of New Orleans. Her book is featured on the Gumbo Pages website, a favorite site about Louisiana culture and cuisine. Her classes focus on classic Creole and Cajun and she's always happy to have help making the roux.Guest Teaching Chef Michael DeVidts from House on Bayou Road: Michael is the teaching chef in residence at the House on Bayou Road B&B, specializing in hands-on classes. A licensed tour guide as well, Michael adds historical color to every dish he teaches.