The Book And The Cook Will Have A Cajun Flavor

Paul Prudhomme is the chef-restaurateur who made America aware of Cajun/Creole cooking in the '80s and put blackened redfish on so many plates that he came close to wiping out the species.

Emeril Lagasse, his '90s counterpart, has wham-bammed his way to superstardom on the Food Network with his own interpretations of New Orleans' unique cuisine.

Both chefs will be on hand to get this year's Book and the Cook Festival and Fair into high gear.

When the fair opens Feb. 25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Prudhomme will receive the 10th Philadelphia Toque Award for his exceptional achievement in culinary writing and accomplishments.

With his eight best-selling cookbooks, from Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen (1986) to his latest, Louisiana Tastes: Exciting Flavors from the State that Cooks (2000); two top videos and three PBS-TV cooking shows in which he has starred, Prudhomme is acknowledged to have spurred the renaissance in New Orleans cuisine that rippled as far as Philadelphia in restaurants like Cafe Nola and Magnolia.

After the award ceremony, Prudhomme and his buddy Sam Choy, the Hawaiian chef/restaurateur, will conduct a double-feature cooking demo for Fair-goers.

Emeril Lagasse will take center stage Feb. 27 for an on-stage interview, audience Q&A, and a booksigning that, based on his past appearances here, is likely to be the most jam-packed event on the 10-day Book and Cook schedule.

Demonstrations and book-signings with other authors and chefs are scheduled throughout the fair.

Fair tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for children 3 to 12; under age 3, free. The fair is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 26; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27.

* The very first taste, a "Taste of the Festival," comes Feb. 23, when the public is invited to preview and sample foods and wines from the Book and Cook menus of more than 40 restaurants, along with wine tastings, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., in the Liberty Ballroom of the new Philadelphia Marriott, 12th & Market Sts.

The preview Taste also will showcase "Millennium Restaurants," with honors to Fritz Blank at Deux Cheminees; Jean-Marie Lacroix at the Fountain (Four Seasons Hotel); Georges Perrier at Le Bec Fin; and Judy Wicks, at the White Dog Cafe.

The $35 ticket price will benefit WHYY and The Book and The Cook Culinary Student Mentoring Program. For reservations call 215-351-2036, or register online at www.whyy.org.