King Cake Season 2024 Is Underway

My thoughts on enjoying it, from near and far

For all the things that Americans have in common, we are still a nation of regional - and sometimes very local - preferences. Nothing illustrates that as much as king cake.

It is as much a part of New Orleans as plastic Mardi Gras beads, potholes and cocktails in go cups. You might even say it is an obsession during carnival season. King cake is sold everywhere from coffee shops and sit-down restaurants to specialty bakers and gas stations.

But the farther out you get geographically, the less you hear about king cake and the fewer places you can find it. People mix it up with its French cousin, galette des rois. They get confused on when it can be eaten.

So, in the first edition of Red Beans & Advice for 2024, here is my king cake tutorial.