One of our group had been to New Orleans many times and had a few restaurants lined up ahead of time. Since I was familiar with The Flavor of New Orleans from the Palace Cafe, I suggested we eat there on our second night in town. I made the reservation and was impressed with how nice the receptionist was, and later when they called my cell phone to confirm our reservation.
When we entered the restaurant we were greeted warmly and seated. This was just the beginning of a great evening. Now, remember that the only reason I knew about this particular restaurant was because I was familiar with their cookbook. Our server, Dante, was terrific--funny, efficient and very personable. Amazingly all of the menu selections are also in The Flavors of New Orleans. The meal was THE BEST I EVER ATE! In fact, the entire experience was so good that I wrote to Mr. Brennan and complimented him and the staff. The table side Banana's Foster and the story behind it was the highlight of the experience.
This is a testimony of how a book serves as a marketing tool and pays for itself at the same time. Whether it is a restaurant, resort, or a community organization, a successful and well-marketed cookbook can bring customers in, get them to return or simply motivate them to give you their support through purchasing one of your books.
