[Image Retrieved by Where Y'at Staff]

Local Bakery Honored as One of Five James Beard Award Recipients

09:03 January 19, 2018
By: Jeff Boudreaux

Celebrating excellence and achievements in the culinary arts, the James Beard Foundation announced today the winners of its 2018 "America's Classic" award, presented by TABASCO®. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon restaurants that are cherished for quality cuisine which reflects the character of the communities they serve, and for their timeless appeal. Serving the Vietnamese community (and all other lovers of fine food) in New Orleans since 1982, Dong Phuong Bakery is one of five ethnically-diverse award recipients scattered throughout the country.

Located at 14207 Chef Menteur Highway, Dong Phuong Bakery is operated by Huong Tran and her daughter, Linh Tran Garza. This pillar of New Orleans East, and one of the area's first Vietnamese bakeries, exemplifies how thoroughly the Vietnamese community has become an integral part of the local culinary landscape. Known for their famous Banh Mi (sandwiches which are variously stuffed with succulent meats, pâté, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs) and delectable breads and pastries, 'tis the season to also try one of their critically-acclaimed king cakes - a carnival for which just recently kicked off Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) in New Orleans!

Dong Phuong Bakery has also grown into a sought-after food distributor, supplying the thin and crusty French breads used by dozens of local cafes and po-boy shops. The James Beard Foundation Awards Gala will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 7. The other four recipients of this year's "America's Classic" award are Chicago's Sun Wah BBQ, Boston's Galleria Umberto, Los Hernandez Tamales of Union Gap, WA and El Güero Canelo of Tucson, AZ.

[Image Provided by Jeff Boudreaux]


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