Cuisine

Conventions Culinary Tour

Discover Hidden New Orleans

April 10, 2025
Featured Image for Conventions Culinary Tour

Insert Caption for Photo here

By: JamesAC

Introduction

When you come to town for business or a convention, making the most of your time is of the utmost importance. But you also want to experience the best the city has to offer.

Our tours let you do both, and offer the perfect environment for team building in a fun environment. Our tours are perfect for a small to medium size group that wants to eat, see, listen and live the city. And they are completely customizable to the interests of your group or organization. We also offer planning and concierge services for larger groups. Accidentally is how we came to know the city, but we’re intentional about giving your team the best possible experience.


Overview of the tour

New Orleans is a city that has flavor. You can find it in our food, our music and our culture. And that’s what we want to give you a taste of – the authentic flavors of the city. We’ll explore the city’s unique neighborhoods and meet the people that make the city special: the chefs, artists, culture keepers and musicians. We’ll explore the city’s neighborhoods, each with its own unique feel. We’ll dive deep into the culture, a complex tapestry that makes the city unlike any other in the world. And we’ll do it your way, as every tour is designed to your tastes and interests, after a survey and a phone consultation.

Do you want to go to a Friday fish fry in America’s oldest African-American neighborhood? Or maybe you want to try a hand thrown classic cocktail in a James Beard Award winning bar. Or maybe you want to try the best yakamein in the city? Don’t know what that is? Well we’ll teach you all about it.

Image

Tour Highlights

Did you ever wonder why we put chicory in our coffee? Or wonder why the Battle of New Orleans and the best macaroni and cheese in the city are both in Chalmette? Or maybe you want to learn about the history of the Bywater neighborhood as you eat and drink your way through it. Our tours are a chance to truly learn the city. And just like us, you might end up staying here forever. Ok, well maybe not, but your spirit will. New Orleans is the city that lives in you.

Itinerary

Meet us for a cup of coffee and a praline stuffed beignet, or if the time of year is right, a slice of king cake as we set out for the day. We’ll stop by a gallery that uses found wood and windows to make local art and talk to the artists. Then we’ll stop by and grab a quick cocktail and learn about the history of a neighborhood founded by free people of color before Louisiana was even part of the United States.

From there, we’ll meet one of the oldest sausage makers in New Orleans, where we’ll not only taste, but see how the sausage is made. And of course were going to hear some music. But we can also mix and match it any way you want. Not a morning group, let’s meet in the afternoon for a rum tasting, dinner, and a night of live music. It’s all on the table, so let’s eat.

Why choose us?

  • Small group sizes for personalized attention.
  • Everyone wants to go behind the scenes, but we actually do that. Meet the people who make the city tick.
  • Commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices – we focus on small groups, and because we are mainly walking, make less of an impact on the environment.
  • Giving back to New Orleans’ Culture – a portion of each tour goes to the Roots of Music, a program that teaches at risk youth the musical and marching band culture of New Orleans
BROWSE OUR TOUR PACKAGES

About The Accidental Cajun

Image

James Cullen is a longtime chef, journalist, photographer, and proud New Orleans resident with a deep and abiding love for the city, its people, and its rich culture. A Boston College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English, James further honed his culinary passion at the prestigious French Culinary Institute, graduating in 2007.

Since moving to New Orleans in 2012, James has cooked and consulted in some of the city’s most renowned kitchens, immersing himself in the vibrant food culture that defines the Crescent City. His photography and writing have been featured in leading New Orleans publications and beyond, showcasing his dedication to telling the city’s stories through words and images.

Spiritually moved by the people of New Orleans—their culture, resilience, and heritage—James founded Accidental Cajun Experiences to share the magic of the city in a way that’s as personal and authentic as the community that welcomed him. Through these experiences, he invites you to explore the heart and soul of New Orleans, just as it was shown and shared with him.