Traditional King Cakes Available Over the Internet
for Mardi Gras Celebration
Chicago, IL – March 3, 2006 – The legendary Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is something everyone in the country could enjoy this year, thanks to a special offer on the Internet.
“Famous American Foods is proud to announce the return of the New Orleans Randazzo's King Cakes,” announced C.E.O. Bob Mungo in his February e-Newsletter. The Famous American Foods Web site has been offering a special Mardi Gras package, including King cake from Randazzo's Camellia City Bakery and other Mardi Gras party goods, for delivery anywhere in the U.S.
For those of us unfamiliar with the regional specialty, the tradition of King cake began in France. Originally, it was a small cake baked on the eve of Epiphany, the Christian holiday celebrated on January 6 to commemorate the three magi's visit to the baby Jesus. In keeping with the holiday's theme of a “surprise appearance,” a small token was hidden in the cake.
French settlers to New Orleans brought the King cake tradition with them, but it gradually evolved into a more elaborate Mardi Gras custom. A King cake would be baked on January 6 with a small ceramic baby hidden inside. Whoever found the baby became “King” and could choose a mock “court.” The King was also designated as the host for the next King cake party. The weekly parties would continue until Fat Tuesday, at the end of the Mardi Gras season.
Variations on this theme have continued to flourish in New Orleans, and Randazzo's bakery has produced a cake that is a favorite with many locals. Although Randazzo's was damaged by Hurricane Katrina flooding, they managed to get the bakery back into operation by January, in time for the carnival season.
Randazzo's “traditional” King cake is made from a homemade-style sweet dough, which is filled with butter and cinnamon and sugar, then formed in strips, which are plaited and shaped in an oval. Before baking, the cake is sprinkled with purple, green and gold sugar—the colors of carnival. After the cake is baked, a plastic baby doll is hidden inside, and the top is decorated with icing and sprinkles. Whoever finds the baby is the King for the day!
In addition to this Mardi Gras special, the Famous American Foods Web site offers other all-American favorites, regional specialties and ethnic treats, including pizza, baked goods, sandwiches, seafood, candy and even fruit and flowers from well-loved sources throughout the U.S.
After a taste of King cake from New Orleans, even those of us who have never been there might appreciate the Louis Armstrong song, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”
About Famous American Foods
FamousAmericanFoods.com was launched in October 2004 by Insight 360 Degrees Inc. , a privately-held web design and custom software development company based in Chicago. The site's easy product search, ordering and payment systems make it convenient to send gourmet foods and specialty gifts from around the country to family, neighbors, friends, employees and customers. Insight 360 Degrees has also created Famous American Foods self-serve, touch-screen kiosks, soon to be located in U.S. airports, hotels, malls, shops and wireless hot spots around the country.
For more information about Famous American Foods, please visit: http://www.famousamericanfoods.com/home.asp .
For the Famous American Foods February e-Newsletter, please see:
http://famousamericanfoods.com/newsletters/Feb2006/Feb2006.htm .
© 2006 Famous American Foods