The Galette des Rois - the French King Cake - represents something that is particular to my country, France, and brings back great childhood's memories each time I get a bite of it. I moved to New Orleans 6 years ago, and have been making my own galettes during Mardi Gras season (all year long to be honest) since. The classic Galette des Rois is a puff pastry cake with almond filling called 'frangipane'; each comes with a gold paper crown, and has a porcelain fève inside. When I was a child, my father was used to bring home a galette a day during the Mardi Gras season, and my sister and I were so excited about it because every time we got to decide who was each slice for. The tradition was: my mother sliced the galette, put a kitchen towel on it, and either my sister or I would go under the table and say out loud who got the first slice, the second, and so on. The one who found the fève crowned his or her king/queen. It was also an invitation to gather, and we shared so many galettes with family and friends. 

– Aurelie Saulnier Bertuccelli

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant