Eating King Cake After Carnival Season: A New Orleans Debate

Experts weigh in on whether the Mardi Gras tradition can extend beyond the annual celebration.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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As a New Orleans native, the author grapples with the tradition of eating king cake only during Carnival season. With leftover cake from before Mardi Gras, the author consults local experts and the public to determine if it's acceptable to enjoy the pastry after the season has ended.

Why it matters

King cake is a deeply rooted tradition in New Orleans culture, with origins tied to the Catholic celebration of Epiphany. Debating the boundaries around when the cake can be consumed speaks to the importance of preserving local customs, even as food trends evolve.

The details

The author, a lifelong New Orleanian, was faced with the dilemma of having an unfinished king cake after Mardi Gras had passed. Consulting Carnival historian Errol Laborde and local food expert Poppy Tooker, the author learned that it is acceptable to eat leftover king cake after the season, as long as it was purchased before midnight on Mardi Gras Day. However, a social media poll showed that the majority of respondents believed king cake should not be consumed outside of Carnival.

  • King cake season starts on January 6, or Twelfth Night, the 12 days after Christmas.
  • Carnival season runs from Twelfth Night to Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
  • The author had a king cake purchased before Mardi Gras Day that was left unfinished.

The players

Errol Laborde

A Carnival historian who advised the author that it is acceptable to eat leftover king cake after the season, as long as it was purchased before midnight on Mardi Gras Day.

Poppy Tooker

A local food expert and "Queen of the Drag Brunch" who agreed with Laborde's assessment and was herself eating leftover king cake when responding to the author.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, it is OK to eat king cake during the days after IF you received it before midnight Tuesday.”

— Errol Laborde, Carnival historian

“I don't believe it should be superstitiously tossed out!”

— Poppy Tooker, Local food expert

The takeaway

While the majority of New Orleanians believe king cake should be limited to Carnival season, the tradition's origins suggest more flexibility. Ultimately, the author plans to finish their leftover cake, honoring the spirit of indulgence before Lent, while respecting the importance of preserving local customs.