Get ready for the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a lineup of returning favorites and exciting newcomers. Indulge in classic flavors like crawfish bread and gumbo, and discover new culinary delights from African cuisine to Haitian dishes. Don't miss out on this vibrant celebration of music and food!

Returning Favorites: Indulge in Classic Flavors

( Credit to: Nola )

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, is a highly anticipated event for music lovers and food enthusiasts alike. With the release of the festival's schedule cubes for 2024, attendees can now plan their days accordingly. In addition, the updated menu for this year's festival has been unveiled, giving festival-goers a glimpse into the delectable feasts they can expect.

One exciting development for food lovers is the return of several beloved vendors who had been absent in recent years. One such vendor is the creator of the famous crawfish bread, John Ed Laborde. After a hiatus last year due to logistical issues and increased costs, Laborde's Marksville-based company, Panorama Foods, is making a comeback. The decision to return was driven by the overwhelming demand from fans who missed the mouthwatering treat. Crawfish bread has been a Jazz Fest favorite for 35 years, and its return is sure to delight attendees.

The Jazz Fest menu this year will feature a range of classic flavors that have become synonymous with the event. Attendees can indulge in favorites like Crawfish Monica, crawfish sacks, Vaucresson Creole hot sausage po-boys, cochon de lait po-boys, trout Baquet, and gumbo with pheasant, quail, and andouille. Linda Green, known for her yakamein, will also be making a return despite previous health concerns.

Other vendors making a comeback after a hiatus include Bennachin, known for its African cuisine such as jama jama (sauteed spinach), plantains, and grilled chicken. Marie's Sugar Dumplings will be serving up their signature sweet potato turnovers, pies, and banana nut bread. Jamila's Café, known for its crawfish and zucchini bisque, tagine, merguez po-boys, and Tunisian salad, will also be back. In total, there will be over 200 food items from 60 vendors to choose from at Jazz Fest this year.

Exciting Newcomers: Discover Vibrant Culinary Delights

In addition to the returning favorites, there are a few newcomers to the festival's culinary scene. Clesi's Seafood, a popular Mid-City restaurant, will be taking over the boiled seafood stand from the previous vendor. Fritai, a Treme restaurant, will bring some of its bestselling Haitian dishes to the festival. Chris' Specialty Foods, a Lakeview butcher shop, is bringing back cracklin' to the menu after its absence for the past two years. Firefly Pops NOLA, a pop-up shop, will offer gourmet ice pops in the Kids' Area.

A special collaboration can be found at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, where downtown restaurant Carmo and local pop-up Waska will serve Colombian-inspired dishes to align with Jazz Fest's celebration of Colombian culture. Festival-goers can look forward to empanadas, ceviches, and even vegetarian options.

Nostalgic Absences: Vendors We'll Miss

While there are many exciting returns and newcomers, a few vendors will be missed this year. Merline Herbert, known for her Creole stuffed breads, will not be present at the festival. The oyster bar, once a staple of the Grandstand area, will also be absent. These absences may evoke a sense of nostalgia for festival-goers who have made traditions around their favorite dishes.

The Joy of Return: Community and Connection

For vendors like Jamila and Moncef Sbaa of Jamila's Café, the return to Jazz Fest is not just about income but also about community and connection. They missed last year's festival and are eager to be back this year, knowing that their presence brings joy to festival-goers. The support and appreciation they receive from attendees make the experience truly special.

Conclusion: A Vibrant Celebration of Music and Food

As the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival approaches, attendees can look forward to a wide array of mouthwatering dishes from both familiar vendors and exciting newcomers. The festival is not just a celebration of music but also a celebration of the vibrant culinary scene that New Orleans has to offer.