Chef Ronnie Bonnette

Mardi Gras season is here and that means it’s King Cake time!  I’ve sat down with New Orleans-native and chef, Ronnie Bonnette, to discuss his Louisiana heritage, cajun-creole cooking and of course, the beloved King Cake. 

Ronnie has lived in New Orleans his entire life, growing up in New Orleans East and raised on traditional Louisiana dishes such as gumbo, crawfish bisque and turtle soup. As a kid, he loved to cook and that passion has stuck with him well into adulthood. When talking with Ronnie, it’s apparent how proud he is of his south Louisiana heritage. His deep gravelly voice, accented by creole intonations that resemble more of a Brooklyn accent than a Southern one, resonates with passion and pride as he fondly recounts his past 26 years steeped in the New Orleans food scene. 

At age 20, Ronnie got his start in the French Quarter and worked his way through well-known establishments including Arnaud’s, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse and the Palace Café before going to culinary school and interning at a bakery in Hammond, LA to “round out his skills as a chef.”  More recently, he’s held the head chef position at Anadelle’s Plantation Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in Covington, LA, combining his love of classic cajun and creole dishes with french cuisine.  To say that Ronnie is an experienced French-Louisianne chef is an understatement.  He’s worked in some of the finest New Orleans establishments, and more.  

Today, you will find Ronnie working the morning shift at the Palace Café and spending his evenings in his own kitchen baking breads and other delicatessens that his wife, Jimi, sells at Sunday market.  For Ronnie, baking is a way to unwind after the hustle and bustle of the restaurant kitchen.  He’s found baking to be relaxing and good for his mental health, which is very important for professional chefs, especially during COVID times.

Now that it’s Mardi Gras season, Chef Ronnie is fully absorbed in baking King Cakes, which he has absolutely perfected.  What’s a King Cake, you may ask?  King Cakes are a traditional cake used to celebrate the end of Christmas and the beginning of the season of Epiphany, which runs from January 6th until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  King Cake is typically made from a brioche dough and laced with cinnamon and sugar and topped with icing and sugar in the royal colors of purple (for justice), green (for faith) and yellow (for power).  These colors resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited Jesus on Epiphany. A tiny plastic baby is commonly hidden in the king cake, but originally, beans or coins were hidden as the prize.  Whoever is served the slice of cake that contains the prize is named “king” for the day and is expected to host the next party and provide the King Cake.

Baby or not, one slice of Ronnie’s King Cake and you’ll certainly feel like a king.  Ronnie’s King Cake is made from a rich and buttery brioche dough that is baked to perfection.  He mixes the cinnamon and sugar filling with his famous sourdough bread that has been made into breadcrumbs, giving the butter, cinnamon and sugar something to cling to.  This keeps the layer of cinnamon and sugar in place as the King Cake bakes; it’s a prominent and very flavorful layer.  The cake is topped with icing that has delicate citrus notes, which adds interest and the perfect level of sweetness to the King Cake.  It’s fantastic.  Ronnie’s King Cakes come with a traditional fava bean that can be hidden in the cake before serving.

And, the best part about Ronnie’s King Cake is that you don’t have to live in the New Orleans area to get your hands on one!  I am excited to announce that this year Chef Ronnie is baking these cakes fresh to order and shipping them directly from his kitchen to yours.  There’s no need to buy your cake from a large supplier or chain grocery store. Instead, order a handmade cake from this great New Orleans chef and baker.  You will certainly notice the difference in quality and taste and you’ll be supporting small business as well.  Ronnie expresses himself through his food and uses it as a way to pass on his culture and the regional cuisine of south Louisiana.  Embrace New Orleans and the Mardi Gras season this month and order one of Ronnie’s King Cakes today.  They are reasonably priced at $15/cake + $15 for shipping.  You can place your order by emailing rontdakingcakeman@gmail.com.  Cakes are shipped out every Wednesday through Mardi Gras.  

If you live in the New Orleans area you can pick your King Cake or Chef Ronnie’s famous freshly baked breads, at the Claiborne Place Makers Market, located on the corner of Hwy 190 & Hwy 21 in Covington, LA (in the Harbor Freight Parking Lot). The market runs on Sundays, from 10-2. Support small businesses and buy local! 

Enjoy everything the season has to offer, and as they say in New Orleans, laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll)!