Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and cocktail festival every summer, features award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter at five days of cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more. Measuring some of their success in garnishes, Tales of the Cocktail 2007, used 7250 mint leaves, 3580 lime wedges, 800 watermelon cubes, 560 gin soaked dried cherries,1390 orange slices, 2 tons of ice and more for 12,000 sippers!
It’s the most spirited event of the summer – and it takes place in the birthplace of the cocktail. Tales of the Cocktail, a dining and drinking extravaganza that explores the Spirit and spirits of New Orleans, is a balanced mix of food, drink, history and fun, shaken with sophistication and creativity, and served up to educate locals and visitors to the city with perfection. The event began in August 2003.
History[]
The Hotel Monteleone is Tales of the Cocktail’s headquarters; however, festival events take place throughout the New Orleans French Quarter. Through the years, the Hotel Monteleone has played host to some of the world’s most famous and colorful characters. Movie stars, dignitaries, royalty and political kingpins are part of their colorful past and present. Guests find the perfect blend of southern hospitality, old world grandeur and casual elegance. The Hotel Monteleone has celebrated the history of the cocktail as the host hotel for Tales of the Cocktail for the past five years. Other fine and historic New Orleans establishments that have hosted events include Galatoire’s, Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, the Napoleon House, Brennan’s and many more.
Ann Rogers is the founder of Tales of the Cocktail. She has planned, implemented and promoted the event since its inception in 2003. Tales of the Cocktail, through Ann’s leadership, has attracted thousands of visitors to New Orleans and has hosted culinary and cocktail professionals and celebrities as presenters each year. Top liquor brands and national magazines sponsor Tales of the Cocktail and the festival has garnered national media coverage in all five years. Paul Tuennerman joined Tales of the Cocktail in 2006, as the Chief Operations Officer. He also serves as Executive Director for The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society.
In 2006, Ann Rogers formed The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society to preserve New Orleans’ dining and drinking history, raise funds for the hospitality industry and produce Tales of the Cocktail annually. Ann and Paul’s ongoing work with the Society is to further its mission, generate media attendance and coverage for the Society and the event and to encourage a positive image for New Orleans, ultimately attracting visitors and increasing tourism.
Visit www.talesofthecocktail.com for more information