In a continued celebration of the spirit of Mardi Gras during the pandemic, Zatarain’s and Krewe of House Floats Uptown/Riverside will join forces for a second straight year to give away free meals to New Orleanians during Carnival season. This year’s efforts aim to help feed musicians and residents of Tremé. The giveaway will take place Tuesday, February 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it is open to all while supplies last.

“Zatarain’s and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand—they are both the flavor of New Orleans,” said Claude Davis, principal scientist at Zatarain’s who grew up in the Tremé neighborhood and still calls New Orleans home. “The last two years have been difficult for everyone, especially musicians and hospitality workers who represent our city to the rest of the world, and many of them live right here in Tremé. Our city really is like one big family, and at Zatarain’s we feel it is important to give back to our neighbors.”

The event will be hosted by Tremé’s very own jazz drummer Shannon Powell, known as the “King of Tremé,” who will also serve as emcee and play alongside his trio throughout the event playing Carnival classics and inviting some of his local musician friends to make an appearance.

“We are proud to partner with Zatarain’s again to give back to New Orleans families,” said Krewe of House Floats organizer Courtney Guidry. “Members of our community are continuing to be affected by the pandemic, and we believe it is important to continue helping as many people as possible. A warm pot of Zatarain’s jambalaya goes a long way to making Mardi Gras festive and people happy.”

At 11 a.m., Powell’s trio will begin to play and set the mood as the team from Zatarain’s and Krewe of House Floats prepares 500 jambalaya meal kits. Food distribution will begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. or until all kits have been distributed. Each meal kit, which can be picked up either via drive through or walk up, will include one package of Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage—either Cajun smoked or andouille—and two packages of jambalaya rice mix. Free go-cups and koozies will also be distributed along with other Carnival surprises.

“I’ve seen first-hand how COVID has devastated our city’s musicians and hospitality workers, and it’s been hard to make a living for those of us who depend on tourism and entertainment for our income,” said Powell. “When they contacted me to ask if I would add some music to their food giveaway event, not only did I say yes, I said I wanted to host this at my house! It’s great that a brand like Zatarain’s, a company that has been a part of the community for over 100 years, would come out and give back. It puts a giant smile on my face, and I’m looking forward to making some jambalaya with the Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage!”

Zatarain’s jambalaya giveaway will be located at 1313 St. Philip Street on Tuesday, February 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with food pickup beginning 11:30 a.m. Meal kits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Krewe of House Floats was founded in 2020 on a whim, but with a serious and determined goal—that if New Orleanians could not safely gather together on parade routes due of the pandemic, city residents could still celebrate Carnival season in a way that supports our friends, neighbors, culture-bearers and locally owned businesses. The krewe provides the resources to connect artists and revelers across the world. For more information, and to view a map of locations for house floats this year, visit kreweofhousefloats.org.