Rich with hisotry and flavor -- Tommy Cvitanovich

As a young boy, an eager Tommy Cvitanovich started his well-known restaurant career bussing tables in his aunt’s restaurant in New Orleans. Several years later in 1969, his parents—Drago and Klara—opened their own place in Metairie, aptly named Drago’s.  

Drago's Seafood Restaurant owner Tommy Cvitanovich
receives the Times Picayune Loving Cup Award for his
philanthropy. He also received the National Restaurant
Association's Restaurant Neighbor Award in 2006 for
his community service following Hurricane Katrina.

The young Cvitanovich started out as a “restaurant brat” as most in the restaurant industry—washing dishes, cooking and bartending. Few other than he can say they started out shucking delicious, plump Louisiana oysters.

Now 42 years later, “Tommy C” as he’s referred to by some of his peers, will serve as the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) chair, the top volunteer leadership position. Also, this year, Tommy will begin his term as a board member of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) representing Louisiana, alongside LRA Past Chair Dickie Brennan.

Settling in Southeast Louisiana

Although many Croatians settled in Southeast Louisiana since the early 19^th century, the Cvitanovich family came to the area in a round about way. Drago and Klara met in New Orleans after separately fleeing war-torn Yugoslavia, now Croatia.

Klara’s father’s business was burned by the Germans during World War II, but that was only the beginning of her strife. The Communist secret police jailed her father, leaving her mother to raise her three daughters with no income. An aunt who lived in New York assisted the family by sending money and care packages.

LRA VP named Ambassador of Cocktails

Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier cocktail festival, has selected Wendy Waren to serve as this year’s Tales of the Cocktail Ambassador. Waren has been a supporter of Tales of the Cocktail since its inaugural year and continues to support the industry through her position as the Vice President of Communications for the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

“It’s a privilege to be apart of such a truly unique event that celebrates and benefits the cocktail and culinary culture of such a beloved city,” said Waren. “Tales of the Cocktail has it all and there’s no place better to experience the joie de vive than New Orleans.”

Waren is Tales of the Cocktail’s third Ambassador, following Kevin Brauch in 2008 and Robert Hess in 2009. She is the first event’s first non-cocktail professional Ambassador. The Tales of the Cocktail Ambassador program seeks to recognize one cocktail professional or enthusiast for their commitment to the cocktail and culinary industries. The Ambassador serves for one year and represents Tales of the Cocktail during that time.

“We selected Wendy because she has not only been such a long-time supporter of Tales of the Cocktail but, more importantly, because of her commitment to the culinary industry in Louisiana,” said Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail. “She loves great cocktails. She loves great food. She loves New Orleans. What’s not to love about her?”

She was interviewed by NolaFugees about the evolution leading to her ambassdorship during the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail.

She shared, "I work with Ann year-round on different events and I'm constantly talking up Tales of the Cocktail and my position with the Louisiana Restaurant Association. The culinary industry pairs nicely with the spirit industry. I have volunteered in the past, and I come with my husband, and we take advantage of the Spirited Dinners. So it was a natural evolution."