Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at LSU will host Louisiana author Elisa M. Speranza at the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. Speranza will discuss the fascinating true back story to her novel, "The Italian Prisoner." The event is free and open to the public. A work of historical ficti...

Louisiana is known around the globe for our incredible Cajun and Creole cuisine, but a lesser known secret is that we have some amazing Italian restaurants. In fact, here's a look at the 10 best Italian restaurants across Louisiana, and a Lafayette restaurant has landed on the list. The history of Italians in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans,...

The Randazzo family has held a storied place in king cake history for more than a half century, since patriarch Salvador "Sam" Randazzo and his sons crafted their recipe in his St. Bernard Parish bakery in 1965. But after his grandson, Manny Randazzo Jr., opened a Metairie bakery in 1992 and started selling king cake using the family's original rec...

A staple in Norco for 17 years, Lovecchio’s Deli closed it’s doors in October in order to reopen a new restaurant in St. Rose. Last Wednesday, their first day in business at the new location, they sold out of all daily specials. They sold out of specials the next two days as well. “What an amazing grand opening day,” the restaurant posted on Facebo...

In a city synonymous with Creole and Cajun cuisine, Italian food too often gets left out of the conversation. But look close, and you’ll see traces of Italy everywhere in New Orleans—in the classic muffuletta sandwich, in the breadcrumb-stuffed artichokes on holiday tables, and in business names like Delmonico and Monteleone.  Droves of Sicilian...

Sixty-Thousand Sicilians were recruited to work in Louisiana's Sugar Cane fields from 1870-1920. We have started fundraising for a 12' high monument to be placed on a 4' pedestal to honor those whose shoulders we stand on. Fundraising Bricks will line the roses around the monument. Brick Prices: 4" x 8" for $200.00; 8" x 8" for $500.00; 12" x 12" f...

Allison Emmerson, associate professor of classical studies at Tulane University, is the director of the Pompeii I.14 Project, Tulane’s very own archaeological site at Pompeii in Italy’s Campania region. In the field of archaeology, the project is a part of a movement pioneering new research technologies, and Emmerson herself is one of the few femal...

The Muffuletta, born in New Orleans, is a massive sandwich overstuffed with simple ingredients, but it will forever deliver a big flavor. It is prepared on a 9-inch round Italian loaf of sesame bread, typically made fresh from one of two local bakeries. The sandwich is layered with marinated olive salad and piled high with thinly sliced Italian mea...

On Columbus Day, Dr. Jill Biden invited approximately 250 Italian-American and Italian Leaders to the White House for a reception to honor contributions of Italian-Americans to America and Italy’s NATO and G-7 Partnerships to America. Attending from New Orleans were Charles Geno Marsala, President of the American-Italian Federation of the Southeast...

On Thursday, Charles Marsala, President of the American-Italian Federation of the Southeast will be at the White House with 30 other national Italian-American Leaders as a guest of First Lady Jill Biden. Ms. Biden’s heritage is Sicilian from the Messina Region. For the second consecutive year, the White House’s Columbus Day Proclamation has acknowl...