Q:
A: New Orleans has a very large and extremely competitive restaurant "scene". Poor restaurants simply don't survive. The variety of restaurants is very wide, and it's not just "southern" cooking (as the first answer suggests). However, I have no idea how well chefs are paid in New Orleans. First check with the famous restaurants (Antoine's, Arnaud's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, etc.). All of them have have reopened and are working to re-establish themselves. NOLA has many excellent but less well know restaurnats (ex. Stella, Bayona, Herbsaint). The website www.bestofneworleans.com has a restaurant guide. NOLA also has many 4 to 5 star hotels, and they all have upscale restaurants + banquet services. Good luck!