Dishing up some Creole dishes

New Orleans is ramping up to Mardi Gras, which means a never-ending party on Bourbon Street. As fun as the party is, make sure you make time to experience the history, culture and cuisine of this one-of-a-kind city. Here are seven things to do beyond Bourbon Street.

1. Creole cooking

The mix of French, African and Native American cultures in NOLA gives us the Creole culture. Learning to cook Creole-style is one of the best ways to experience it.

At the New Orleans School of Cooking visitors can see their meal prepared in daily demonstration classes that teach classic Creole dishes.

Cooking with one hand and sipping from a glass of wine/beer/vodka/Bloody Mary firmly placed in the other

I can also recommend the hands-on class where you and your cooking partner (singles can be paired) get to take your time, cooking with one hand and sipping from a glass of wine/beer/vodka/Bloody Mary firmly placed in the other. Not only do you get to make (and eat) three courses, but you also get to make new friends along the way. It’s also a great introduction to the city. Our Chef and locals in the class gave us endless tips on where to go next.