The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) recognizes a handful of cookbooks each year at their annual conference, and three of the four nominated books in the “American” category have local connections!
DamGoodSweet
Authors: David Guas and Raquel Pelzel
Editor: Carolyn Mandarano
Publisher: The Taunton Press, Inc.
My New Orleans: The Cookbook
Author: John Besh
Editor: Dorothy Kalins and Jean Lucas
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC
Real Cajun
Authors: Donald Link and Paula Disbrowe
Editor: Rica Allannic
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Cast a vote for your favorite nominated book at the IACP People’s Choice Award web survey. Go ahead, click over and support local books & authors…
Bouillie 
I have been coveting the Besh book since I saw it in a bookstore. Now that I know part of the proceeds will go to Cafe Reconcile I have an excuse to succumb.
It’s a lovely book, with a nice mix of restaurant & homestyle recipes.