What do you want
to know about
Sue Strachan?

Born in Pennsylvania, with a brief stop in Atlanta, Ga., before growing up in Connecticut, Sue found herself back in the South when she moved to New Orleans to attend Newcomb College at Tulane University.

She left for six years to work in New York City in book publishing, magazines and advertising before returning to the Crescent City.

Sue missed go-cups, (then) cheap rent, music and the food.

Her work as an editor, writer, copy editor and media strategy in New York City and New Orleans, as well as working for international publications, has given her the experience to bring accuracy and historical context with a fresh focus to any article or project.

Sue has also been on numerous radio and TV programs, and is currently the movie reporter for WWL-TV’s Great Day Louisiana morning show on a segment called “Hollywood Highlights.” She even was the host for a TV show about the New Orleans barbecue scene!

Publications

The arts, celebrity profiles, homes, food, travel, fashion, weddings, gala benefits, business, New Orleans Carnival and history, debutantes, and Mardi Gras Indians are just a few of the topics Sue has written about.

Among the publications include: Benzinga (online business publication), NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune (where she was the Society editor), Time (Asia), HG (House and Garden) magazine, Uptown/Mid-City Messenger, Inside New Orleans, Arthur Hardy Mardi Gras Guide, St. Charles Avenue Magazine, Where New Orleans, New Orleans Magazine, Louisiana Life, Caribbean airline magazine, as well as travel guides for Fodor’s and Hungry/Thirsty.

What is she excited about now?

A new book! “The Obituary Cocktail,” part of LSU Press Iconic New Orleans Cocktails, is being published in July 2025.

It is a fun follow-up to, “The Café Brûlot,” also published by LSU Press, and is still finding an enthusiastic audience.

Sue has also become a go-to moderator for book panel discussions at New Orleans bookstores, most recently for “Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival,” by Mark Guarino; “The Absinthe Frappé” by Marielle Songy; “The Seamstress of New Orleans,” by Diane C. McPhail and “Kiss Me In the Coral Lounge,” by Helen Ellis.

Media Strategy (and Special Events)

Specializing in art and food/restaurant promotion, Sue uses traditional outlets and social media. She was the public relations director at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, which also involved special event planning, including the Ogden After Hours music series and the annual “O What a Night Gala.”

More recently, she was working with Simone Ink, promoting New Orleans restaurants.

Volunteer/Nonprofit boards/Organizations

Sue is currently a board member of Les Dames d’Escoffier/New Orleans Chapter.

She was a board member of Lighthouse Louisiana and Newcomb Alumnae Association and wrote its “Newcomb Magazine,” the annual publication.

Her previous volunteer activities include: Creative Aid New Orleans (food insecurity); Hands On New Orleans (food insecurity) and Creative Response (arts education during COVID-19 pandemic). In September 2020, she was part of the ResQue team who traveled to the Lake Charles area to provide meals and select goods after Hurricane Laura devastated the area. She has also volunteered at Sankofa Farmers Market.

What else?

Sue was on the 2013 Super Bowl Media Host Committee (and went to some great parties), and one of the judges for the 2019 Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival Queen.

One of her greatest honors? Being named twice as “Word of the Day” by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The words: oenophile and felicitous.