Aubrey Juhasz

Early voting starts Saturday.

For NPR News, I'm Aubrey Juhasz in New Orleans.

Students at New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute are setting up for a four-hour king cake class, hauling stand mixers to their workstations.

Some people in today's class already work in the restaurant industry, but their baking experience is limited, like Sierra Francois.

And they aren't afraid to experiment.

To her classic cinnamon filling, Francois adds coffee liqueur and bourbon.

Her finished cake comes out of the oven puffed up and golden brown, her first contribution to a rich tradition.

For NPR News, I'm Aubrey Juhasz in New Orleans.