The Krewe of Iris is more than a pretty parade. The historic, newly-rejuvenated krewe is also deeply involved in community causes, and that’s led to a new king cake that also has a beauty that goes beyond the icing.
Dragonfly Café (530 Jackson Ave., 504-544-9530) is a nonprofit restaurant and coffee shop connected to Raphael Village, which supports “differently-abled adults,” called Guild members, who may have Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder or other conditions.
The café in the Irish Channel is a sunny, welcoming spot for a grab-and-go breakfast biscuit sandwich or a coffee and the ridiculously chocolatey “all the chips” chocolate chip cookie (just $2). Last year, the café started making king cake, which the Guild members help produce.
Dragonfly Cafe manager and baker April Whitecotton saw the collaboration between another Carnival club and nonprofit, the Krewe of Muses and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), which last year debuted a fabulous Greek-inspired king cake (which is back again this year too, starting Jan. 30)…