Brennan’s New Orleans named an inaugural inductee in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame

The Dole Food Company has named Brennan’s New Orleans as one of three inaugural inductees in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame for its ongoing contributions to the lore, legacy and global appeal of the iconic yellow fruit.

Brennan's, the iconic French Quarter restaurant is being honored for its creation of their world-famous dessert, Banana’s Foster. The legendary flaming dessert synonymous with New Orleans and bananas dates back to 1951 when the Brennan family challenged their Chef de Cuisine Paul Blangé to create a signature dish using the beloved fruit for a special evening honoring family friend Richard Foster. The resulting tableside masterpiece has been a local institution and Brennan’s most popular menu item ever since, filling the French Quarter restaurant, and much of Royal Street, with the smell of caramelized bananas, brown sugar, and butter. The dish was named for Foster, a friend of Owen Brennan and the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission, on which Brennan served.

Brennan's Bananas FosterPhoto bybrennansneworleans.com

Ralph Brennan said, “We are very proud of Bananas Foster, a deep tradition that has been a part of our family’s restaurant, Brennan’s New Orleans, for over 70 years. It is wonderful to see families – from children to adults – enjoying the theatrical creation, presented at the dining table, which never gets old.”

The other two Dole Banana Hall of Fame being announced today are the City of Latrobe, Pa., birthplace of the Banana Split and home of the annual Great American Banana Split Festival; and Bobby Banana, the 7-foot banana mascot of Dole Food Company who has been making healthy eating and living fun for kids for close to 40 years. Dole will announce additional Dole Banana Hall of Fame inductees throughout 2024. Banana lovers can nominate their own favorite banana icons – from people and places; to banana dishes, drinks and desserts; to bananas in film, TV, music and popular culture – by using the hashtag #DoleBananaVersary on any Dole social media page. The Dole 125^th Banana-versry continues throughout 2024 with in-store messaging, contests, partnerships, proclamations, recipes and appearances by Bobby Banana. A special highlight is “125 Ways to Be Bananas,” part of a web and social media series of banana hacks, tips and recipes, digital downloads, engagement opportunities and ways to share banana memories.

Photo bywww.photography.ca

For continually refreshed and updated information on the Dole 125^th Banana-versary, go to 125 Years of Dole Bananas. Use hashtags #DoleBananaVersary, #DoleBananas125, #BananasForTheFuture, #BananaVersary and #Fresh4Future to join in on the conversation.

For more information and the Bananas Foster recipe, go to Bananas Foster | Brennan's Restaurant