SOHO New Orleans Takes Southern Hospitality to the Next Level
Hospitality visionary Larry Morrow — the restaurateur behind successful New Orleans staples like Morrow’s, Monday, Sun Chong, Morrow Steak, and Spicy Mango — is transforming the local restaurant and nightlife scene with SOHO New Orleans (Southern Hospitality Weekend). The inaugural event, held over Morrow’s birthday weekend, convenes more than 25 hospitality leaders, including Rick Ross, Pinky Cole Hayes, and content creator Keith Lee, for panels, workshops, networking, and cultural celebrations designed to uplift future food and hospitality professionals.
Morrow’s mission with SOHO goes beyond food and nightlife fame — he wants to address the industry’s toughest challenges and provide aspiring restaurateurs with the mentorship and actionable tools needed to build sustainable businesses. With restaurant closures common in the first years of operation, SOHO’s programs aim to be part of the solution by offering real guidance, strategic insight, and community support.
Celebrating Community, Culture, and Entrepreneurial Growth
SOHO’s inaugural weekend featured cultural events — from a Roll Bounce Skate Party to a VIP Networking Brunch — alongside more than 20 expert sessions focused on hospitality operations, marketing, funding strategies, and industry trends. Morrow sees the weekend as a way to honor New Orleans’ Black culinary and cultural heritage, while ensuring that the next generation of Black restaurateurs, chefs, and creators thrive both locally and nationally.
As a city where Black culture and cuisine are core to its identity, SOHO also highlights how mentorship and representation can catalyze careers and contribute to economic empowerment in New Orleans’ vibrant hospitality landscape.
