Brenda Maitland

Visitors to New Orleans as well as residents make it a point to spend time in the neighborhood for which the city is justly renowned. Everyone, no matter how short or long the visit, spends time in the French Quarter.

Chef Steven Young is a natural-born chef. A native of New Orleans’ West Bank of the Mississippi River, he grew up in a family of 9 children.

“My mother and grandmother were excellent cooks,” he said. “I was about 7 when I began hanging out in the kitchen watching and sampling, with all those wonderful aromas of gumbo, red beans, soul food and other local traditional New Orleans cooking,” Young recalled.

The sudden loss of world -renowned chef, author and entrepreneur, Paul Prudhomme, in October was a devastating blow to his family, the state of Louisiana, the culinary community and to the millions of people who knew and loved him. Yet, there’s still two Chef Pauls in K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen -- Executive Chef Paul Miller and the spirited presence of his mentor, kitchen collaborator and close friend.

As head chef for K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, the celebrated restaurant Prudhomme and his late wife, K, founded in 1979, Miller keeps the establishment cookin’ in more ways than one.

What does the holiday season mean in a city that stages festivals, almost daily parades and world-renowned celebrations year-round? It means that New Orleans has to celebrate bigger and better. And that is precisely what happens.

Many theatres are in full bloom, staging entertainment of all types at a frenetic pace. From grand productions worthy of Broadway to symphonic performances, along with intimate concerts, ballet, and everything in between. Every night there is something for everyone to enjoy. Holiday memories are waiting in the wings.