Sometimes you meet people who have moved to New Orleans and when they tell you their life story all you can think is, "Thank God you found New Orleans. There s no other place in the world you could be yourself." How about tonight s guest on Midnight Menu 1 for an example Where else in the world could you be a genuine Samurai custom cake baker hat maker Mardi Gras parade Marshall make up artist Meet Midori Tajiri Byrd. Yes, they re all Midori s cakes. And that s not half of the story. Midori is genuinely a Samurai the last of a long line of Japanese warriors and rulers whose Japanese family lineage stretches back into the mists of history. Check out the traditional tattoo on her palm. Midori s 1 describes himself as "the only chef in New Orleans without a tattoo" and the reason he doesn t have a tattoo is the reason he ended up a chef. A veteran of a slew of NOLA restaurants from Harrah s to Isis Matthew Ratcliff is a chef for hire, catering events with his company Crescent Cookery. Matthew made some brisket and mrliton picked sandwiches for the evening s get together and Midori made a cake. This is a totally fun and fascinating Midnight Menu 1. From Samurais to sweets and sandwiches. And much more in between. There are more pix and more activity over at our Facebook page.

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