New Orleans is said to be the home of the first cocktail. And Carnival season is prime time for boozersalcohol is served morning, noon, and night. Consider these five classic cocktails, all of which were invented in the Big Easy.

Mention Mardi Gras and one's mind immediately turns to New Orleans, with its elaborate balls, sparkling beads, and Zulu coconuts. But ask Donald Link, the chef behind the city's celebrated restaurants Herbsaint and Cochon, and he'll tell you that Mardi Gras coincides with crawfish seasonand that means it's time for a boil.

When you devote your life to cooking for others, nothing says "romance" quite like being dismissed from the kitchen and having a meal prepared just for you. We asked single chefs from across the country what their perfect Valentine's Day meal would be (made with care by someone special, of course). Their answers not only sound enticing but also reveal where these pros' hearts truly lie.

Do you find yourself cooking potatoes more often during the winter months? Get helpful tips and lots of recipe ideas on how to change it up.

With eCookbooks, now you can cook just like your favorite chef! When you purchase an eCookbook, the books recipes are automatically downloaded to your Epicurious Recipe Box. You can organize them, create digital Shopping Lists, or cook right from the book in our eReader format. Check out our full list now!

Is there anything more restorative in the winter, or more evocative of snowy evenings around the fire, than a steaming cup of hot chocolate? Transform a chilly night into something extraordinary with our hot chocolate and cocoa primer. Bonus: Learn to make homemade marshmallows.

Cantonese cuisine expert Eileen Yin-Fei Lo shares traditional Lunar New Year's recipes, as well as preparation tips to help get you ready for the celebrations tomorrow.

Chef Pichet Ong transforms traditional Chinese treats into elegant recipes for New Year's celebrations. He shares four recipes for the Lunar New Yearand in keeping with Chinese tradition, each features ingredients associated with good fortune.

From Chocolat to Ratatouille, see our picks for the all-time best films about food.

Lunar New Year has its roots in ancient China, yet many other Asian countriesincluding, notably, Vietnam and Koreafollow the same lunar calendar and have their own celebrations, complete with symbolic foods. Come take a taste of those traditions!