What I love about working with such fabulous people, is that they all have great ideas and creativity when it comes to food. Please feel free to ask Team Members what their favorite recipes are.

Of course, we also have an incredible Prepared Foods offering for the holidays, whether it’s a full meal package, side dishes, hors d’oeuvres, or wine pairings. Stop by the Holiday Table to place your order or for more details.

In addition, throughout the store, you’ll find nifty gift ideas for your family and friends.

May you and yours have a wonderful and tasty holiday season!

On another note, please mark your calendar to support Ray Brandhurst, a local shrimper who is battling lung cancer with minimal health insurance. Ray is a member of the White Boot Brigade, which we have supported through special fundraisers in our Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina stores. His wife Kay sells shrimp at the Crescent City Farmers Market and they have four children.

Chef Michael Farrell from Le Meritage is hosting a Louisiana Wild Caught Shrimp Dinner to benefit Ray and his family Saturday, August 15th from 7 to 10 p.m., which features four courses with wine pairings for $75 per person. Call 504.648.6119 for reservations.

In addition, from July 1st through the 8th, you’ll receive FREE one 18 oz. bottle of Stubbs BBQ sauce, 1.25 pounds of Whole Foods Market cornbread, and one pound of classic coleslaw when you purchase one full rack of baby back ribs!

I’m known as the rib queen in our household and can’t wait! Also, I prefer to use our 365 charcoal rather than a gas grill although I understand the convenience of using gas. Call me a purist!

To register, sign up at Guest Services or call (504) 899-9119. Release the inner chef in your child!

What makes this shrimp different from what you’ll find on the corner or around town is that it’s preservative/chem-free and sulfite-free. Added bonus is that the weight is from the shrimp meat rather than the head. More shrimp to eat! Of course, if you’re making a stock, you want the head for the best flavor.

I’m thinking it’s shrimp and grits for brunch this weekend! Bon appetit!

Here’s sending some big “CHEERS!” to Dad!

Lance uses sustainable harvesting methods, new technology, and no chemicals or preservatives. His special escapement equipment allows birds and turtles to escape should they become entangled in the nets, and Lance limits trawl times to 30 minutes which allows for most of the bycatch to be returned to the water alive.

Once the shrimp are hauled aboard, they are immediately sorted and deep-chilled before being individually quick frozen, less than one hour after harvest and right aboard the boat using an ultra low temperature freezer. Many other shrimpers hold their catch on ice for days before they are frozen back on shore, so with Lance’s shrimp, it’s the freshest possible!

In addition, Lance does not use chemicals or preservatives when processing the shrimp. Many processors use chemicals to make shrimp retain water weight, which means that folks pay for the weight of the water in addition to the shrimp. When you purchase shrimp from Whole Foods Market, it’s 100% shrimp!

Celebrate the opening of shrimp season!

Please join us for a fabulous time!

How to participate? Simply drop off your old paint and electronic waste (computers, stereos, etc.) at Arabella Station, located at 5600 Magazine St. between Arabella and Joseph streets. The Green Project’s tent will be in front of the store in good weather and inside near the massage table in bad weather.