Casa Pelican B&B and Cooking School

When researching for a cooking class in New Orleans, I came across several options, but I was specifically looking for a more intimate, hands on cooking experience where I would learn something about the cuisine and perhaps some new cooking tips. Chef Karen delivered exactly that, and it was without a doubt one of the top experiences of my trip. The knowledge and techniques imparted by Chef Karen were perfectly matched to our groups' understanding and abilities. The ingredients used were high quality and the end result was four fantastic and enjoyable dishes. I only wish I could have eaten more! I would thoroughly recommend this cooking school and thank Chef Karen again for the experience and generously welcoming us into her home.

This was the absolute HIGHLIGHT of our recent trip to NOLA where we introduced some good friends to the city for the first time. The friends are former professional chefs and we were looking for a "non-touristy" experience to learn some real techniques. It is an understatement to say we were blown away! We took the ferry over to Algiers from the FQ and were early so we stopped for a quick taco which was right on the way. It was a perfect way to start! Karen welcomed us into her kitchen and we instantly felt the love! We did the classic Cajun experience and it was 100% authentic. You get to do everything from learning about the evolution of cajun/creole cuisine, to prep, to cooking and some lovely wine just enhances the experience! It was the cherry on top to sit down to the meal was had created and have a true Cajun family dinner. It is a very intimate kitchen and I imagine 5-6 people is the max. That makes for such a special evening. We already started planning our next trip around which one of Chef Duncan's classes we are going to take next time! It was an absolutely perfect experience!

Not once, not twice but three times I have stayed at Casa Pelican AND I have attended Miss Karen's Cooking class. She is a class act, people. Casa Pelican is an AMAZING place to stay. Algiers Point is the perfect spot. With in minutes of walking and the Ferry Boat, you are right in the heart of the French Quarters. When you are finished with the vibe of the quarters, you retreat back to Algiers to an amazing neighbourhood and home at Casa Pelican. As for the cooking class, Chef Karen is the most patient and knowledgeable teacher. She beautifully blends the Science, the Art and the Passion of Naw'lins cooking. We had a great time and learned so much.

We were guests at Casa Pelican June 30 - July 3, 2024. Our cooking lesson was July 1. This was an amazing experience to stay in this second oldest neighborhood of New Orleans. The neighborhood is quite walkable, with easy access to the ferry. Accommodations are quite comfortable. It is a 140 year old house, and it is quite a charming place! We stayed in the Balcony Room, with access to the second floor balcony overlooking the front of the house. The highlight of a B&B is breakfast - Day One was cinnamon pancakes with fig compote. Absolutely marvelous! Day 2 was Denver omelettes. Day 3 was scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, English muffins, and ham grilled Andouille sausage. Great coffee, juice and fruit was also served each day. The highlight of our stay was our cooking lesson on Louisiana Seafood. Of all the trips we’ve taken over 30+ years, this is one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Karen, the proprietor served as our cooking mentor. We made barbecue shrimp, Coubion with fried catfish, jambalaya, and bread pudding. Karen is also a sommelier - her wine selections were terrific with this meal. She selected locally sourced ingredients for the meal. The opportunity to pick her brain about food & wine pairings during dinner was an amazing experience. I was almost in a food coma after this dinner - Karen was kind enough to freeze our leftovers for the drive back to Houston. I cannot recommend Casa Pelican highly enough - take the cooking class - it’s worth every penny. We would love to return and take another class with Karen!

This is the easiest 5 star review I’ve ever given! The cooking class we took with the delightful Chef Karen Duncan at her charming bed & breakfast was the highlight of our trip to New Orleans! Exceptional instruction and Louisiana cuisine history in a wonderfully intimate setting. We absolutely loved every minute. Highly highly recommend!

A wonderful experience! While cooking Cajun and Creole classic dishes, we learned not only the “what” but the “why” certain steps or techniques were necessary. Karen is a great teacher. The reward for our work? We got to enjoy the results as dinner! I highly recommend taking this class!!!

We took the Cajun and Creole Basics cooking class and CANNOT speak more highly of it! Chef Karen was so wonderful to work with, an absolute expert in her field, and made sure we all understood the fundamentals of each recipe, not just how to follow instructions. Our class made gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, and bread pudding, though she says she does change up the dishes from time to time. Regardless, you are guaranteed to cook up an absolutely delicious meal and come out of it feeling more than prepared to replicate it at home!

If you're looking for a personal experience while elevating your knowledge about cooking, this is it! My daughter and I found this experience to be the highlight of our trip. Easily our best meal of the week. Chef Karen shared the history and culture of Creole and Cajun cooking, as well as the molecular basis for the techniques we learned. We learned so much in one evening and had a wonderful time!

I was part of a small class recently. Outside was the wind and rain, inside the warmth of a cozy home and chef's kitchen. Karen's patient hands-on instructions included many details about both the Cajun and Creole cultures and their respective cuisines. Many things were counterintuitive compared with traditional French cooking, so we had to 'relearn' some techniques. That said, I was surprised to find that the way I've always cooked the carmelized onions in my Russian Grandmother's brisket is quite similar to the way one makes a roux for Cajun and Creole dishes! The evening was full of tastes, smells, feelings, and wonderful laughter. At the heart of it was our collective enjoyment at the privilege of cooking with Karen Duncan, chef extraordinaire! Merci pour tout!!

I am a chef, but I'm not overly skilled with Cajun cuisine, so my hubby looked for a good cooking course for us to take since he was bringing me for our first visit to New Orleans. We didn't want to go to the crowded, "demonstration" style classes in the quarter because we wanted a more hands-on, intimate experience. This was definitely the right choice because Karen is amazing and the food/experience were life-changing! I did not expect to learn as much as I did, but she is just an absolutely incredible teacher. She gave us the science behind the cooking and I have been able to recreate our dishes at home so we can continue to enjoy the experience! We will be back to take another class on our next trip. We did not stay in the B&B, but with Karen's hospitality, I cannot imagine it being anything other than exceptional. The home where we took the class was so warm and inviting. There was a couple in the class with us that was staying there and were repeat customers. Just go!

Indeed a core memory for me in terms of my relationship with food, and my love of history and culture. I originally booked their B&B first, with no knowledge of the cooking school until I arrived, and I must say I was blown away. The room was cozy with a wrap-around balcony overlooking what may possibly be my new favorite neighborhood in America: Algiers Point. Oh and their daily breakfasts are made with so much love my heart could burst (not with cholesterol, I hope) Our hosts were super passionate about Cajun cuisine and culture, as the trip ended with a fantastic cooking class with new friends. If you're staying a few nights, make sure to use the ferry to enter the city. You're far enough from the wild nights, yet close enough to take advantage of this walkable part of the city.

This was one of the best things we did in New Orleans. Karen was very welcoming and knowledgeable, and she really did a great job with the balance of instruction and fun. We did the New Orleans Famous Dishes as a private group of 5 - just the right number in my opinion. We started with Oysters Rockefeller, which included lessons on shucking and layering of the flavors. I could have eaten 10 of these - they were that good. I ate half that in an attempt to pace myself, but I'm still thinking about them. Next up was Shrimp BBQ. This was the one dish I could have taken or left, but not because it wasn't delicious (it was). I just don't care for the work of shelling the shrimp at the table. Next was chicken bon femme with sweet potatoes. This dish is 100% going into my rotation. Flavorful and somehow pretty simple at the same time. The meal finished with bananas foster, which is a really interesting process and a delightful dessert. There was plenty of hands on for those who wanted it, and those who didn't were invited to just watch if they wanted. You won't go home hungry here - we ate until we were stuffed and then took home leftovers. The wine pairing was delicious and plentiful. I can't say enough good things about this class and I'd absolutely do it again.

We attended the Cajun and Creole basics class and had an absolute BLAST! Chef Karen is very experienced and knowledgeable and is an amazing teacher. We learned how to make gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp étoufée, and bread pudding. It was a small group of 3 couples so we all contributed at each step of the process. Whether you are experienced or not you will have fun and learn a lot. I highly recommend taking a class! We can't wait to come back for another one!

my wife(michelle) and i (pete)did the seafood cooking class. Chef Karen is amazing.This is a hands on cooking class, chef Karen makes this easy and fun. learning about the different spices and how they work was amazing. getting to taste the food as you made it so you can understand why certain spices change as you cook and to understand the science behind it. We ate at a lot of places when we where there, but this was easiest the best meal we had. Then to cap of the night you get to go to her great dinning room, where chef Karen plates the meal you just made.The night then becomes a great dinner party, eating, talking, drinking, laughing, could not have been a better night. Once we left we to local bar, and just talked about how we couldnt of had a better night. thankyou Karen

This was everything I expected and more. We stayed 4 nights and did 2 nights of cooking school. Chef Karen regaled us with stories of famous chefs around the Quarter all the while whipping up a fantastic breakfast every day. Fluffy AF scones one day, biscuits and gravy, even eggs benny on our last day and she let me help stir the hollandaise. For cooking classes I requested Cajun Basics the first night and then NOLA Classics next. I think we made every dish that I love in New Orleans. And did I mention she has chickens? Fresh eggs every morning. Chef and her husband Kelly are gracious hosts and great conversation as you enjoy the dinner you just cooked. 10/10 would do this again. I learned so much and it was just a blast to geek out on local food. Also Algiers Point is a nice little remove from the FQ and all the noise but easy to get to by ferry.

Great option outside the hustle/bustle of downtown New Orleans yet just a few minutes away by ferry or 15 min by car. Went specifically for the cooking school and it did not disappoint. Karen is a great host and a very knowledgeable and skilled chef. Class was excellent, learned a lot. Food was amazing ( and we made it!).

My friend and I visited for my 50th birthday, wanted to prepare some challenging dishes. The cooking class with Karen was so fun! She made the experience effortless. We sat for consumption of our cooked meal and conversation afterwards. She, along with her husband were a delight. We will definitely return and share our great experience with everyone!

Our group of 7 found out about Casa Pelican through Groupon, and booked a 3-hour cooking class as part of my cousin's bachelorette festivities. Located a short drive from CBD, an Uber costs about $15-$20 from Harrah's and takes about 20 minutes. Upon arriving, we were greeted by Chef Karen Duncan and her adorable pup, Pork. We were whisked into the kitchen, which had windows and a door looking out onto the backyard where her free-range chickens were happily grazing. Karen promptly served us glasses of wine, we settled into our seats by the counter, and the cooking began. On the menu for our class was gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp Creole, and bread pudding!! Karen moved at a great pace and patiently answered our million-and-one questions. There is counter space for about 3-4 people to prep simultaneously and only one cooktop, so we took turns working the pots. Even when I didn't have a job to do, I was still plenty engaged by the discussion of food and continual drinking of wine, which Karen provided plenty of! (Seriously, I think I had about 4 glasses during the class. :) After cooking, we were invited to grab seats in the beautiful dining room. We were joined by Karen and her husband, Kelley, for dinner. Of course, the food was amazing (the jambalaya was to DIE for), but more importantly, the hosts and the atmosphere were so warm, I would forget I wasn't having dinner at a friend's home. After dinner and desserts were served, we wrapped up our class with some cuddles with Pork and their sweet cat, Minnie. While waiting out on the front porch for our Uber, Kelley poked his head out several times to check up on us, and offer us more wine while we waited. Seriously, the hospitality cannot be overstated!! The cooking class with the Groupon pricing was just under $450 for our party of 7, and worth EVERY PENNY. I've walked past cooking classes at various establishments in the French Quarter and believe with certainty Chef Karen offers a far, far superior experience. If you have any interest in Cajun/Creole cuisine at all, do yourself a favor and go check out Casa Pelican. You won't regret it.

What a fantastic class! we had a blast cooking a remarkable Cajun and Creole meal, as well as learning lots of great cooking tips, in general. I've since made her Seafood Gumbo, and it turned out great! Hope to stay in her B&B sometime too. The most fun cooking class I've ever taken!

Where do I start with this review?? I am still on a high from our New Orleans experience but this really made me appreciate all of the food i was then to eat in this city. I found Casa Pelican Cooking School based on fellow yelper reviews. i knew coming to Louisiana we need to take advantage of their cuisine and learn it the right way. . i noticed a bunch of the ones held within the city were pretty much cooking demonstrations.. if that thing is for you then that is great! i am more hands on when it comes to cooking. Prior to coming Chef Karen was very prompt to help me set up our cooking class i asked her what the best and most popular class was so we did Cajun and Creole Basics.. i felt once you master the basics everything else falls into place! We were staying at Le Richecleu we took a cab because we had no idea where we were going it was about a 30 dollar cab ride and about 20 minutes away. Sadly we were the only ones who signed up so instead of mingling with fellow food enthusiasts eager to learn to cook Louisiana style we pretty much had a private cooking class. it was Amazing there was no sharing chopping/cooking/ stirring responsibilities for us. we learned the whole trinity onion, green pepper, celery and how a lot of the same ingredients make completely different dishes. we made Shrimp Ettouffe, Jambalaya, Gumbo, and Bread pudding with cranberries and chocolate chips. We did everything from chop vegetables, peel clean shrimp along with the remains learned how to make a shrimp stock. we were given the recipes to take home. Chef Karen is a wealth of knowledge and really embraces the flavors down here. although we never got to meet her husband Kelly we heard some fun stories about him. I can't thank her enough for her warm hospitality the wine was delicious and once the knives go away the glasses get poured! On our journey back home we took the ferry which is about a 10 minute walk from her house. and took that back to our hotel. you can take it going but since we were unfamiliar with it we took it on the way back. If you want a cooking class or looking for a bed and breakfast to stay in def give her a holler, ps had i known we could've made beignets i would've added that to our list of items... when i return that will def be on the menu!

What a night! We made all of the NOLA standards with freshest seafood and bay leaves dried in house. I learned so much from a Karen. Her style is casual yet she kept us on pace. No awkward conversation here, she knows how to keep a group engaged. Whether you are a cook or just someone who wants to learn about this unique cuisine you will value this experience. The price is well worth it. I never would have ventured to this storied and historic neighborhood if it weren't for this class. It was an easy $2 ferry ride and a short walk to get to her place. Nothing like sitting around the table and enjoying the fruits of your labor with the perfect pairing of wine. (Karen is also a sommelier) I will be back!

We came to the Cajun Creole Basics Cooking School this week. This was absolutely the best cooking school I had been to. I highly recommend it. Karen has so knowledgeable and welcomes questions. The food was amazing! We loved sitting at the table with her and her husband for dinner and getting to know them. This is a must do while in New Orleans!!

Exceeded all my expectations, even after having read the perfect 5-star reviews here! We booked this class for the second day of our weeklong trip and this remains one of my favorite meals and experience in NOLA. I also thought it was the perfect introduction to the city that laid the foundation for everything else we were going to see and taste. The class itself is very hands-on, where you prep and cook under Chef Karen's clear instructions and keen eye / nose. Not only will you gain widely-applicable culinary skills, usable beyond Creole & Cajun dishes, you will also leave with a deeper appreciation for New Orleans culinary history and unique culture. Chef Karen is a treasure trove of knowledge with so many interesting stories to share. This class is not cheap compared to other cooking classes I have taken on trips but it was well worth it. I would book another class with Chef Karen at Casa Pelican in a heartbeat the next time I am in NOLA.

Definitely 5 stars! Came here to attend this cooking class and very very very impressed. My boyfriend who lives in New Orleans brought me here and I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what to expect. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had! We had food to take home after cooking and recipes to recreate the food we cooked. 5 stars all around. She told us she also teaches a cocktail class. Will absolutely be back!

Great experience! We were a group of three- my friend who wanted to do the cooking class for her birthday, myself, and my husband. There was also another couple present so the small group of 5 of us-which was perfect! The intimate group allowed us all to learn, be hands on with the cooking process and allow for fun conversation along the way. Chef was kind, patient, informative, and professional through the entire process. It was wonderful to sit down for a full meal to eat all of the delicious dishes we made! The New Orleans classics we created were the tastiest out of all the restaurants we dined at the days before. Just an easy Uber/Lyft ride away from the French Quarter, this experience was one of a kind. Would recommend to anyone who wants to visit NOLA for the food experience!! Thanks again, chef :)

My friend and I stayed here for our first two nights in New Orleans and loved every minute of it! Karen and her husband greeted us warmly even at our close to midnight arrival time. We were starving and after giving us a quick tour of the house, they very graciously fed us homemade Gumbo and kept us laughing as we shared stories. The breakfast served to us each day was delicious and they were very accommodating about asking us our preferred time for the meal. Pork, the family dog, the two kitties and four chickens added an extra element of fun to our stay. The neighborhood of Algiers Point was safe and charming and we loved exploring. The $3 ferry ride to downtown made things easy and convenient. We will highly recommend Casa Pelican to anyone we know visiting New Orleans and we can't wait to come back to this incredible city!

We had the best experience with Karen and Kelly yesterday. They are so welcoming and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Cajun and creole cuisine, but it felt like an afternoon with old friends. Thank you Karen and Kelly for making our NOLA trip memorable and fun.

We visited New Orleans for a week recently, and had the pleasure to stay with Chef Karen at her B&B. We also took advantage of the opportunity to take two of her cooking classes. The cooking classes: Chef Karen isn't just a great cook, she is an excellent teacher. Her classes are as hands-on as you're willing to make them. Her stated goal is to demonstrate and then step away from the kitchen. Your group of 4-8 students will do all of the prep work and then rotate through the actual cooking of multiple local classics. Chef Karen will guide you through the steps, and explain exactly what you're doing and why. She will describe not only what you are looking for as you cook, but also what you are tasting and smelling for! My wife and I have already prepared an authentic jambalaya since our return home, with the recipe and skills we learned in Chef Karen's kitchen. We felt truly prepared by her teachings. I would unreservedly recommend her classes if you get to New Orleans and can spare one afternoon/evening for an immersive experience. The B&B: A charming home in the Algiers Point neighborhood, just across the river from the French Quarter, Casa Pelican has two bedrooms available for rental. Our room was comfortable and homey, with our own bathroom. The air conditioning was a wonderful counter to the 90+ degree summer heat. Breakfasts were homemade, delicious, and plentiful. The best thing about the place, though, is Karen. She is the warmest and friendliest person, and she opens her home to her guests as if they are friends, not just customers. She is so willing to engage with you in conversation, and she is a fount of information about the area, the culture, and of course the food. We found this situation to be terrific, but I think it wouldn't necessarily be right for everyone. Some small caveats: - As mentioned on their listing, Case Pelican is an older house with a relatively steep and narrow stairway up to the bedrooms. It wasn't a problem at all for us, but if you aren't comfortable getting your bags up a narrow flight of stairs, this might be a problem. - It's not difficult to get from Casa Pelican to the French Quarter, but it is about a ten minute walk to the ferry (a five minute ride) and then a few minutes to get into the SW edge of the FQ. (The ferry runs every 30 minutes until 9:45pm midweek and 11:45 on weekends.) Totally doable, but it means it's not convenient to drop back to the room midday for a rest, or in the evening to shower and change before you head to a nice dinner. It also means you're going to have additional walking on both ends of your day. With that in mind, I have to say that my wife and I feel like now we have a great friend in New Orleans and we really couldn't imagine heading back there and NOT staying at Casa Pelican with Chef Karen. And head back there we will.

Such a fantastic experience. I loved the small class size and calm atmosphere. Chef Karen is so knowledgeable yet humble and patient. We made three different main dishes and dessert and then sat around the table and ate and chat together. Thankyou Chef! I can't wait to get home and practice in my own kitchen.

Amazing cooking class!! Karen is so knowledgeable and taught us so much about Cajun and Creole cooking. Very relaxed cooking class and very fun for everyone! We cooked gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp entoufee, and bread pudding. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly! I would love to take other cooking classes with Karen when I return to NOLA. Highly recommend!! She's amazing!

Our group of five booked a private cooking class with Chef Karen for the afternoon of April 29, 2017. Prior to the class, my e-mail inquiries were answered quickly. On the day of the class, we took the ferry from Canal Street to Algiers Point. The half mile walk to Casa Pelican was easy, and we enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful homes in this quiet neighborhood. We immediately felt comfortable in Chef Karen's kitchen - southern hospitality at it's best! The class started with some introductions, and a nice glass of wine. In fact, the wine was free-flowing throughout our class and dinner. The menu consisted of gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and bread pudding. We learned the techniques and skills to correctly prepare these dishes, and they were incredible!! Everyone is confident we can recreate these dishes at home. In fact, we're looking forward to impressing our friends and family with our new cooking skills. What a nice touch to go into the beautiful dining room at Casa Pelican to enjoy the meal we helped prepare. By the time we left, we felt like Chef Karen was a close friend. We have no doubt we'll be back to Casa Pelican for more cooking!

Incredible, Chef Karen is simply the best. Whether you're experienced in cooking or not, you'll have a great time and leave feeling like you're equipped with lots of great advice. Karen's lessons apply to more than just Creole or Cajun food -- you can get a lot out of these classes for all kinds of cuisines. Don't go to one of those boring cooking "classes" in the French quarter where you watch someone cook for you -- Karen's class is well worth the money, and will be one of the better meals you have while in NOLA (which is saying something for a city with so much to offer on that front). Cooking the food yourself makes it that much better.

Chef Karen hosted one of the best cooking classes I have ever had the pleasure to attend! Limited to 6 students, we spent and afternoon drinking wine, talking & learning about the different dishes, styles of cooking, spices, and history of Cajun & Creole Cooking. Under Chef Karen's expert tutelage, we made an incredible 5 course meal that included Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffe, BBQ Shrimp & Bread Pudding. Everything was out of this world delicious!!! She was kind and patient and answered all of our many curious questions about the dishes, techniques, ingredients, etc. The kitchen is warm and inviting. Students sit around the stove. Everything was very hands on. Heritage Recipes were given to students at the beginning of the course - with a pen for notes :) Everyone has the chance to participate and get involved in cooking the different dishes. Which was so fun to see it all happen first hand. The night concluded with a fantastic family style meal, conversation with other students and our fearless Culinary Leader - Chef Karen! I would 100% go back for another course to learn more from the brilliant Chef Karen. Already looking forward to my next trip to NOLA!

Our group of 7 signed up for Karen's cooking class and boy, were we pleasantly surprised. We came away with several new recipes, refined cooking skills and techniques, great conversation, a grand meal, terrific wine and just a really great time all in the comfort of Karen's Bed and Breakfast kitchen and dining room. The entire hands on experience was phenomenal and we would repeat this in a heartbeat. Be prepared for a stress free and relaxing day which means no rushing and no time constraints, just cook and eat until your heart's content. We ended our evening with a short walk to the ferry station along the river and beautiful view of the sunset. What a way to make our way back to the French Quarters. Thank you Chef Karen for making our visit to New Orleans memorable !

We had a great time with Chef Karen. This private cooking class for four, myself, husband, son and daughter in law, was a one of a kind experience. We chose our own menu and were amazed at the delicious results we were able to produce under Karen's guidance. We have done some French Quarter hands on classes that were fun and informative, but this was a much more personal experience. If you have the time (5 to 6 hours) we highly recommend Karen and her classes.

Chef Karen Duncan has it all: cooking skills and knowledge, the ability to share and teach what she knows, and a lovely personality that simply makes you feel at home immediately. Like other posters, our group of four made gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffe and a remarkably tasty bread pudding. We sat around her large cooking island drinking wine and learning the history of Cajun and Creole cookery all the while sharing in the prep and cooking. Lovely. Delicious. Fun. Memorable. Can I post more than 5 stars? Thank you Chef Karen.

Fantastic Cajun and Creole cooking class! I enjoy cooking and like to take regional cooking courses during my travels. This was definitely one of my favorites and it was suitable for all levels of ability. The small class size insured everyone was able to participate as much as they desired and made the class fun, informative and interactive. Chef Karen did a wonderful job of instructing us while interweaving interesting personal stories about New Orleans and the history of the cuisine we were making. The result was some of the best food I've eaten in the city, which speaks volumes as I LOVE the restaurants in New Orleans. I would definitely take another class at Casa Pelican and highly recommend it to anyone who loves to cook, or at the very least loves to eat.

Just returned to the icy tundra of northern Illinois after spending a few days of respite @ the welcoming Casa Pelican B&B. The quaint, safe, historic neighborhood of Algiers Point is a $2 ferry ride to the FC. Chef and proprietor Karen Duncan was a perfect host and teacher, and we cannot extol enough praise for her laid back approach & high caliber instruction. Delicious breakfasts, comfortable bed, adorable pets (Gumbo the cat and Pork the dog) made the trip feel like visiting a family member.

This is a Wonderful Place to Stay! My husband and I really enjoyed our stay at Karen & Kelly's beautiful home last week. What a charming and cozy bed and breakfast nestled in the beautiful Algiers Point neighborhood. Just a brief walk and ferry ride to the hustle of the main part of New Orleans. I could never tire of the ferry ride! Karen is a great hostess; we were welcomed warmly and treated like we lived in her home. A delicious breakfast was served promptly each morning, even the morning there was no power because of the previous night's storm. We rested peacefully every night, and even got to play with Pork, the resident doggie who loves his tummy rubbed! Karen held cooking classes while we were there, and the house filled with delightful smells of Louisiana cooking. Thank you again Karen & Kelly, we are looking forward to visiting New Orleans again and staying with you at Casa Pelican!

You gotta do this! My Fiancé and future mother in law signed up for one of the cooking classes offered here. I learned so much from Chef Karen about New Orleans food and cooking in general. It was by far the best LA food we had on our trip and was a lot of fun in the process! The best part is now I really feel like I can make these dishes at home. I highly recommend this experience and can't wait to come back again!

I cannot speak highly enough of this class!! My boyfriend and I took Karen's class on our recent trip to New Orleans. We were in a small group and everything was completely hands-on. On top of that, we received a thorough history of the area and, specifically our dishes. We learned universally applicable skills that I am able to use in my daily cooking (and I've noticed a difference!). Once the meals were prepared, we sat down in the gorgeous dining room and gorged ourselves. The meal was delicious and the company was wonderful. We will absolutely be back!

Where do I begin with this review? We are so grateful to have come across this B&B during our recent (and first) trip to New Orleans. We found a home away from home, in the cutest little neighborhood. Chef Karen and Kelly are absolutely wonderful hosts. We were in NOLA during the "Hurricane Barry" scare, Karen was so therapeutic and made me feel at ease after receiving all the emergency alerts on our phones :). She is such an amazing cook, breakfast was always on point! This truly is a BED AND BREAKFAST! This was one of the greatest highlights of our trip. We had a one of a kind experience by joining them and their friends for the "hurricane party." We are so thankful for everything they did for us, helping us make the best out of a bad situation. We were not able to take her cooking class because it was cancelled due to weather conditions, so we can't wait to return to our home in NOLA and actually get to take the cooking class! ;)

Had a class on Feb 17th with Karen. We cooked the Louisiana Seafood class that included super fresh trout, head on shrimp, crawdads and bread pudding. AMAZING! We learned so much from flirting the trout to making homemade stock and even utilizing the shrimp heads for flavor. Karen is very informative and social and she walks you through everything in a step by step hands on method that was very fun! Everyone participated in making one of the best meals we ever had! Such a fabulous class!!! Highly recommend!

The cooking school was a wonderful hands on authentic experience and Chef Karen couldnt be more gracious! Next time, we will definitely stay at the Bed & Breakfast!

Myself and my husband did the Cajun and Creole basic cookery class last week. Firstly a word about Chef Karen. Although she is not native to New Orleans, she is a Cordon Bleu chef who has studied the local cuisine and has run a restaurant specializing in this cuisine, she also has run a shop stocking all the relevant ingredients. She is very knowledgeable. She is also very calm and patient. She shows you what to do and then let's you get on with it. We were a small group of 6, which was perfect. I learnt a lot about cooking, prepping, tasting. I can't praise the experience enough. I really enjoyed meeting the other participants too, they shared lots of insight into their lives. And at the end you sit down and eat the meal you have prepared, with left overs for the next day. The overall experience was excellent. Chef Karen was brilliant. I wish we could do all of her classes

Karen, Kelly and Pork were the most delightful hosts!! Their home is warm and inviting and they will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable!! Karen's breakfast is definitely something to write home about and her recommendations for eating and sightseeing out and about in New Orleans saved a ton of time and frustration! And Algiers Point is just the cutest little community only a 4 minute ferry ride across the Mississippi to the heart of downtown New Orleans..can't recommend them enough!!!

I attended this class because my boyfriend had booked it for our vacation. I was never much of a cook, so I had my reservations. Karen's signature deadpan wit and charm put me at ease at once. She really went out of her way to make sure everyone - even a newbie like me - felt included, taking the time to demonstrate and explain every step and never showing an ounce of condescension. The day culminated in a fabulous several-course meal, with her personally packing up an abundance of leftovers for everyone. She was also full of helpful hints for our visit and went so far as to welcome each and every person in attendance to call her personally with any cooking questions they might have down the line. A thoroughly memorable experience. Thank you, Karen!

Art and I had a wonderful time with Karen. Great food! We learned SO MUCH about New Orleans' cuisine. Reocmmend it highly.

Had an awesome time! My family gave my husband and i this cooking experience for an anniversary and it really helped cap our adventure in Louisiana. I'll remember this cooking experience as a highlight of our trip and the food was delicious.

We were looking for a cooking class in New Orleans that wasn't the typical giant cooking school with 20 students. We found exactly what we wanted with Karen at Casa Pelican. Karen is a wonderful teacher, besides being super knowledgeable. Not everyone can teach. Karen most certainly can! The food was wonderful, and we learned lots of great tips. Highly recommended!

This cooking class, taught by Chef Karen, was by far the best experience on our trip to New Orleans. My mom and I were fortunate enough to be the only ones in the class, and Chef Karen was so personable and kind. We cooked chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffé and finished it off with some amazing bread pudding! After everything was finished, which only took 2-3 hours, we sat down and had a formal meal where we got the chance to try everything we made. It was absolutely incredible. Chef Karen packaged up everything nicely for us as we were leaving. Would definitely recommend if you are interested in cooking and visiting New Orleans! We had so so so much fun!!

Refreshing class. As an out of towner trying to taste a non touristy, real dish form New Orleans I was amazed. The class had a great hands on approach that a lot of the other classes you read about doesn't have. The history of the food and fun laid back environment was just what I was looking for. Great food! Great Class! Great Teacher! Jason

Not only is Karen a terrific instructor and chef, she knows the science behind the steps and clearly enjoys conveying it all to her students. I've taken many cooking classes but this was definitely one of the best.

I have taken cooking classes all over the world, and this was definitely one of the best! Chef Karen is so warm and opening shared so much information about the history, culture, chemistry and tradition of the foods that we prepared. It was totally hands on, and for a foodie/cook such as myself, I learned more than I could ever hope for. Her home/kitchen is perfect for this culinary experience, and the lovely walks through Algiers Point completed the experience. Chef Karen deeply inspired me to take my love of food to the next level and pursue my cooking goals. Thank you so much for the experience!!!!

Chef Karen Duncan is a wonderfully fun, informative, patient, and clear instructor. My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time learning how to make Cajun and Creole dishes like jambalaya and gumbo. The classes are small so that each person gets several hands-on opportunities. This class was a true highlight of our trip to New Orleans! Make the stop in Algiers and have a lovely afternoon of great food and great company!

Recently, my girlfriend and I were in New Orleans for the first time. We both wanted to do a cooking class together for real authentic New Orleans food but didn't want to do one of the touristy cooking classes as some tend to be hands off and sometimes you don't even get to eat the food at the end. Like everyone, we wanted to make sure we were getting a bang for our buck when we travel and we wanted to create a lasting memory. Let me tell you, we were not disappointed! After some research we found Casa Pelican otherwise known as Chef Karen. We took our Uber from the French Quarter to Algiers (roughly 20 minutes) and were surprised when we got off in front of someone's house. Confused, we walked in and were pleasantly greeted by Karen who actually conducts these cooking classes inside her beautiful, remodeled, restaurant style kitchen. There were two London traveling friends there so five of us in total including Karen, which is a full kitchen. Karen is extremely welcoming, passionate, and a knowledgeable chef. She has a lifelong acumen to back it up having owned a successful Cajun restaurant. During the class Karen lays out the plan for the meal and let's you get hands on while she teaches you how ingredients should look, smell, and taste. We signed up for her Cajun recipes and were walked through how to make a five-course meal (Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Cajun Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Etouffee, and Classic Bread Pudding) with everyone preparing and cooking the food while Karen supervises and teaches. Karen got all the food before we arrived so everything was fresh including the seafood, which was caught that day. She also provides, red and white wine, beer, and hard alcohol with the class, which flows freely and encourages you to enjoy yourself how you choose. The ingredients and steps to her recipe are printed out for you so you can bring it home after and try on your own. After cooking the food you do a sit down dinner together and everyone gets to know each other better. After dinner we got to meet her husband Kelly who is a nice guy in addition to Karen's neighbors who are welcomed into her house as a Friday get together. Talk about feeling like a local! We did not expect this but it was a pleasant surprise as it gave us the local experience we wanted away from the French Quarter. She also recommended a warm, local bar two blocks from her house that had live music and affordable drinks for the rest of the night. Since then, Karen has helped us with any questions we have had regarding making the food a second time at our home. In sum, we highly recommend Karen and the Casa Pelican experience.

We took a cooking class -- it was a surprise to me from my group of friends while visiting New Orleans. I, personally, have minimal cooking skills but was able to keep up while learning new tricks that I'm using from here on out. The recipes are easy to follow. As a group, we made some killer Cajun and Creole and our lovely hostess/chef Karen gave us great advice on places to eat in the city. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that everyone in our group wholeheartedly enjoyed.

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the seafood class given by chef Karen. What a pleasure. Really hands on, great food and a great time. Highly highly recommended.