NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — This year, she will ride as Muses royalty. WGNO reporter Deepak Saini speaks with Gautreau’s executive chef, Sue Zemanick.
In just a few weeks, her highness in the kitchen, will reign from a high-heel shoe.
“I’m very excited to be the Honorary Muse. I’ve always wanted to be a part of Muses and this is a great way to be in the parade,” says Zemanick.
Sue Zemanick’s list of honors includes the James Beard Award for the “Best Chef in the South.” Now the culinary celebrity will be the “Honorary Muse” for the Muses parade.
“It’s a huge honor to be in the same group of women like Patricia Clarkson and Ruby Bridges. I had the honor to meet Ruby when she came to eat at Gautreau’s and I was very happy and excited to be a part of the same group,” says Zemanick.
The all-female krewe celebrates revolutionary women who make a difference, which couldn’t be more fitting for Chef Zemanick and the staff at Gautreau’s. In 1991, the restaurant was the first in New Orleans to go smoke-free. 24 years later, the movement is catching on. Late last week, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed the city’s new smoking ban into law.
“We were one of the first restaurants to be that and it’s nice to see New Orleans has finally decided for all places to be smoke-free,” says Zemanick.
Chef Zemanick says working in a smoke-free restaurant makes a difference on the palate.
“You use all your senses when you’re eating and to have smoke in the restaurant would take away from all the delicious food,” says Zemanick.
She has all the right recipes in the kitchen, now she’s busy whipping up her ingredients for the parade.
“I’m going to start getting some glitter out and start crafting. I’m hoping to make a few shoes so I can have some throws and I’m going to just start working on my costume and having fun,” says Zemanick.
Muses also announced the winner of its Mardi Gras Cup Art contest. A design by McDonough 35 High School student, Myron Solomon, will be printed on the cups that will be thrown during the parade.
Muses rolls Thursday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m.
