NEW ORLEANS (February 15, 2011) – This Fat Tuesday, bring Mardi Gras home with a festive and flavorful get-together fit for a king or queen. Zatarain’s, the brand serving up New Orleans-Style food for more than 120 years, offers tasty ideas to help plan a spirited family soiree with the right menu of traditional dishes, including jambalaya and red beans and rice, along with authentic ways to  celebrate the Carnival season.

“I love sharing the spirit of Mardi Gras with the rest of the country,” said John Besh, a New Orleans native and Executive Chef of Restaurant August and Luke. “With Zatarain’s, it’s so easy to bring the fun and flavor of Fat Tuesday home – wherever you live. Whip up some tasty New Orleans-Style meals, decorate with beads and masks, and then invite folks over for good times all around.”

Join The Parade At Facebook.com/Zatarains
Zatarain’s introduces “Mardi Gras Central” on Facebook with robust new offerings, including a festive Facebook application, Mardi Gras music, Carnival recipes developed exclusively by Chef Besh and live parade videos to modernize the Mardi Gras merriment:

• “Jazz Up Your Profile Pic”:  Zatarain’s new Facebook application, available February 22, makes it easy to add colorful beads and a mask to a Facebook or Twitter profile picture. Share the tool with friends and followers to create a Mardi Gras parade of festive photos.
  
  
• Take a Listen:  For music to set the mood, check out the online Pandora radio station on Zatarain’s Mardi Gras Facebook tab. Hear the best of New Orleans legendary jazz and Carnival favorites on this free station.
  

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Mardi Gras Tips

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CONTACT US

Maureen Henry
Weber Shandwick
619-696-9715
mhenry@webershandwick.com

Laurie Harrsen
410-527-8753
Laurie_Harrsen@mccormick.com

• Have a Look: Get in on the action with a look at live footage of the Mardi Gras parades via “Zat’s Cams.” Then, view video vignettes for a peek inside Chef Besh’s kitchen and get a taste of a true New Orleans’ family Mardi Gras celebration.
  
  
• Find Recipes to Celebrate: Discover recipes for traditional Carnival favorites like Big Easy Jambalaya and Uptown Red Beans and Rice, sure to please a crowd.

A Big Easy Celebration
Perhaps contrary to popular belief, most of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations actually take place in the home, away from the revelry most commonly associated with the French Quarter. Centered around time-honored dishes that are both flavorful and easy to prepare, the food brings family and friends together. Tap into the spirit of the Big Easy with these festive party tips:

• Enjoy Your Own Party: While food is the main event at your celebration, don’t get stuck in the kitchen away from guests. Chef Besh suggests prepping as much as possible in advance. Jambalaya and gumbo both taste even better the next day, so you can even cook your dishes the night before your party. Then, all you have to do is reheat and plate when your guests come marching in. Zatarain’s offers authentic, flavorful and easy one-pot meals to keep you and the party going all night long.
  
  
• Dress the Part: Channel your inner royalty by encouraging guests to dress up like kings, queens and jesters, as many in New Orleans do. Top off the costumes with fun masks and beads.
  
  
• Kick Up the Color: Ensure all decorations are in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold, which stand for justice, faith and power, respectively.
  
  
• Don’t Forget Dessert: Prepare a sweet ending to your party with Chef Besh’s twist on the traditional King Cake - King Cake Cupcakes, that each have a dried fava bean hiding inside. Tradition states that whoever receives the fava bean in their slice of cake serves as host of next year’s party. With everyone holding a bean-stuffed cupcake, everyone must come together again for next year’s celebration!

Visit www.facebook.com/zatarains for essential Mardi Gras recipes and more, and be sure to follow Zatarain’s on Twitter (@MyZatarains) to let the good times roll!

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About Zatarain’s
Since 1889, Zatarain's has been the authority on the fun and flavor of New Orleans. From its humble beginnings producing root beer extract, the company has grown to make more than 200 food products from Rice Dinner Mixes, Frozen Entrees, Pasta Dinner Mixes, Breadings, Seasonings and Spices to Seafood Boils, Creole Mustard and other products based on authentic New Orleans–Style recipes and seafood preparation. Now, people around the world recognize that to capture the true flavor of New Orleans cuisine, you have to "Jazz It Up with Zatarain's." For information, recipes and Zatarain’s online store, visit www.zatarains.com.