Your culinary tour of New Orleans starts where it all began — the banks of the Mississippi River. From here, you’ll witness the lifeblood of this region which brought new cultures, new influences and new ingredients to the USA through its ports. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you'll indulge in New Orleans' most iconic breakfast pastry covered in powdered sugary goodness, the beignet. Next, head up to the French Market, the site of America's oldest public market and a unique culinary space where you can grab a local bite to eat and meet some of the locale's colorful personalities. From the French Market, you’ll embark on the picturesque streets of the French Quarter where your guide will take you to some of their favorite palette-pleasing spot, both classic New Orleans as well as delicacies you won't find outside Cajun country. If you have an affinity for the spicier side of life, you'll love unleashing some Louisiana hot sauce. This is the birthplace of Tabasco, after all.  On this tour, you’ll have the chance to try a dish that sparks more controversy among chefs than any other in New Orleans: gumbo. Learn how hundreds of years of history has shaped this recipe and how it can vary from restaurant to restaurant. Finish off with a sweet treat made from locally grown sugarcane and the region’s abundant pecans.