Louisiana Eats

While Mardi Gras and Thanksgiving are all fine and good, here at Louisiana Eats, our very favorite holiday has always been Halloween! Every October since the show's debut in 2010, we've gotten into the spooky spirit by bringing you stories of the silly, the supernatural, and the downright scary! This week and next, we continue our crystal anniversary celebration by bringing you two special Halloween episodes featuring moments old and new from the past 15 years. We begin with Chef Greg Picolo, whom we spoke with for our very first Halloween show back in 2010 and then again in 2019. It seems like no matter where Greg goes, paranormal activity keeps following him! Or is it just that nowhere in New Orleans is safe from hauntings? Greg's tale leads us to one Mid-City restaurant whose specters' hijinks have remained consistent through three different owners. Celeste Bergeron McCann and Chef Greg of Vessel's two former iterations⁠ – Christian's and Redemption, respectively – tell us about their paranormal experiences with the building's more malevolent spirits. Next, we delve further into the supernatural with Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman, who has been practicing Vodou in the Crescent City since 1977. She tells us about the role food plays in ceremonial Haitian Vodou and describes the Day of the Dead / Fèt Gede celebration she leads in the New Orleans Healing Center every November 1st. We also go into her botanica to see some of the unusual elements the Vodou priestess brings into play. Then, New Orleans writer Scott Gold recommends some spill-chilling dishes to serve at your Halloween party – a menu that, when first broadcast in 2014, gave rise to a true Emily Litella moment. Finally, we learn the art of obituary-writing from the emissary of eternal rest, John Pope. For nearly 50 years, John has marked the deaths of countless New Orleanians with his well-researched and poignant obituaries. In 2015, he compiled an anthology of 123 of his most memorable obits into his classic volume, "Getting Off at Elysian Fields," which was recently released in paperback. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The weather is cooling down here in Louisiana, which means outdoor events are heating up across our state. Out on the Cajun Prairie, Le Grand Hoorah, a festival dedicated to the music, food, and culture of the people of Acadiana, is coming up November 1st. The annual event turns 10 this year – and to celebrate, Louisiana Eats brings you highlights from our road trip to attend Le Grand Hoorah in 2017. We begin in downtown Mamou, where our gracious host Valerie Cahill gives us a grand welcome at the historic Hotel Cazan. After grabbing breakfast down the road at the charming Krazy Cajun Cafe, we cross the street to visit Mamou's world-famous dancing and drinking destination, Fred's Lounge. Over spicy Bloody Marys and cheap beer, Camille Fonteneau talks to us about the important role the local AM radio station KVPI has played in the community and in her life. On our way to La Grand Hoorah, we learn why Ville Platte holds the title of "Smoked Meat Capital of the World." We make a pit stop at Paul's Meat Market and Grocery, where many locals and out-of-towners purchase their meat. We then meet Kermit Miller, the man behind "the barbecue sauce with a Cajun accent," Jack Miller's Barbecue Sauce. Continuing a family tradition begun by his father Jack in 1955, Kermit's family recipe has found a following across the country. Finally, we arrive at Chicot State Park, where hundreds of people from around Louisiana, and the world, were gathered for Le Grand Hoorah. We hear music performances by Cajun youngsters and meet the brains behind the festival, Gilbert "Winkie" Aucoin. Winkie explains why he is dedicated to the preservation of his culture. We also eat our weight in cracklins and boudin, thanks to the tireless efforts of individuals like Toby Ryder, an expert in the art of traditional Cajun boucherie. We end our show by learning about NOLA Nite Market, another outdoor Louisiana event happening in Westwego on November 14th and 15th. The evening bazaar features a plethora of authentic Asian street foods created by local mom and pop restaurants – complete with live music and artisan wares. NOLA Nite Market founder Thuy Pham tells us what to expect at the nighttime fete. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

From the height of its popularity in the 19th century to its modern revival, absinthe has a long and storied history. A favorite pastime of artists, writers, and bohemians, the spirit known as "the green fairy" was subject to a near global ban for nearly a century due to myths about its hallucinogenic effects. Even after those bans were lifted around the turn of the millennium, its wild and mysterious reputation remains. On this week's show, we delve into the mythical world of this once illicit elixir. We begin with Evan Rail, author of The Absinthe Forger. In this true crime novel, Evan follows the trail of a shadowy grifter who uses absinthe's mythical status to his own ends. Along the way, Evan gives readers a fascinating glimpse into the international underground absinthe scene that proliferated during the drink's prohibition. Then, Marielle Songy joins us to discuss the history of an iconic New Orleans cocktail: the Absinthe Frappé. Marielle delves into the early days of the drink and its first home, the Old Absinthe House in the Crescent City. Today, you can enjoy an Absinthe Frappé anywhere in the nation thanks in no small part to New Orleans environmental chemist Ted Breaux. Ted tells us about the two decades he spent analyzing pre-ban absinthe bottles to prove to the U.S. government that there was nothing dangerous about the fabled green liquor. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

With its proximity to Latin America, Louisiana has long enjoyed a treasure trove of delightful food and spirits from south of the border. This week, we take a long look at that bounty. First, we hear from two-time James Beard Award winner Ted Genoways, author of Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico. Ted tells the real story behind the rise of Mexico's tequila industry – a tale that involves building railroads, a world's fair, the Mexican Revolution, and even American Prohibition. At the center of the story is Jose Cuervo, who isn't just a brand, but a real person born in Mexico's Tequila Valley in the late 19th century. His investment, innovation, and some clever maneuverings ensured the industry's survival and eventual flourishing success. Surprisingly, Ted's book is the first biography written on the legendary tequila-maker. Then, we hear from Jimena Urrutia and Marcelo Garcia, the talented husband-and-wife team behind one of New Orleans' most innovative eateries: Empanola. Together, they have transformed traditional empanadas into authentic tastes of Louisiana and a myriad of international flavors as well. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Located at the opposite ends of the country, the states of Louisiana and Maine appear to share little in common at first glance. But take a closer look, and you'll see two places that share a passion for their distinct seafood culture – each home to a galaxy of culinary rockstars who elevate their local cuisine. On this week's show, Louisiana Eats takes you with us as we travel to Maine to explore the food scene in the Pine Tree State. We begin with Lady Oyster Tours and Tastings in Phippsburg, on the Casco Bay Peninsula. Owner and operator Virginia Shaffer is Maine's first "oyster sommelier," or certified oyster expert under the Oyster Master Guild. Throughout the year, Virginia and her company educate tourists on the local oyster industry, offering tastings and boat tours of oyster farming operations. She tells us about Maine's rapidly growing oyster industry, before Captain Joe Jerome steers us to get a first-hand look at an oyster farm. Then, we travel up the coast to meet Melissa Kelly, the first two-time recipient of the James Beard award for Best Chef Northeast. Melissa tells us about her Rockland farm-to-table restaurant, Primo and her remarkable life in food. We also meet farm manager Abigail Gallagher, who gives us a tour of the multi-acre farm surrounding the restaurant. Next, we visit the small town of Bath to dine in a restaurant overlooking the Kennebec River called OystHERS Raw Bar and Bubby. The seasonal raw bar is owned by sisters Sadia and Lauren Crosby, both lobstermen's daughters from nearby Georgetown Island. Sadia owns a sea farm, where the house oysters are produced. Lauren tells us the story behind OystHERS, which serves up fresh bivalves from local female-owned and family-owned farms. And who should we run into there, but Susan Spicer! The New Orleans chef tells us what she's cooking while cruising up the Atlantic coast. We end our trip at Browne Trading Market, a magical food and drink emporium in Portland. Since 1991, Browne Trading Company has been the supplier of seafood, caviar, and other delicacies to an exclusive restaurant chef customer base. Among our discoveries there were percebes – also known as gooseneck or turtle-claw barnacles – harvested on the Iberian Peninsula and exclusively available from Browne Trading. Specialty foods manager Michael Rigo explains why the job of harvesting these edible crustaceans is not for the faint of heart. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

From crumbly cornbread that perfectly complements a home-cooked meal, to warm cookies that can make you forget any problem, baked treats are key to happy eaters everywhere. This week, we celebrate the delicious half-science, half-art that is baking! First, we hear from our old friend, food writer Anne Byrn. Her latest cookbook, Baking in the American South, is a beautifully photographed tome, featuring hundreds of mouth-watering recipes along with the history behind each one of them. Next, baker Jim Lahey talks about the 15th anniversary edition of his ground-breaking cookbook My Bread: The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method. Jim began a bread-making revolution decades ago with a Le Creuset pot, just a handful of ingredients, and, most importantly, no need for kneading! Finally, we chat with Renato Poliafito, owner of Brooklyn bakery and café Ciao, Gloria, and author of Dolci! American Baking with an Italian Accent. In his newest book, the two-time James Beard Award nominee set out to capture the flavors of Italy stretching from the Old World to the New. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

New Orleans has long been known for its Spanish, French, and African influences, so it can be easy to overlook the role the Chinese have played in our culture and cuisine since the mid-1800s. On this week's show, we explore the Chinese in the Crescent City – yesterday and today. First, we hear from the Historic New Orleans Collection's Winston Ho, who fills us in on the captivating history of the Chinese community here. He talks about the earliest restaurants that cropped up during Reconstruction, the Crescent City's short-lived Chinatown, and the substantial Chinese impact on the local seafood industry. Then, we fast forward to the present day to learn about Miss Shirley's Chinese Restaurant on Magazine Street – named best new restaurant in Louisiana by Southern Magazine in 2024. We visit with the restaurant's namesake, the vivacious Miss Shirley Lee, whose Royal China Restaurant in Metairie drew customers from all over the metro area for four decades. We chat with Miss Shirley about why her retirement only lasted a year – and meet her daughter, Carling, who is carrying her parents' traditions into the next generation. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Twenty years ago, on August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina violently swept through New Orleans. The storm and subsequent levee failures brought chaos and devastation to the city and surrounding areas. On this week's show, as we mark two decades since Katrina, we explore how New Orleans residents and businesses were able to respond quickly and creatively to rebuild our city. We begin with Richard McCarthy, founder and former executive director of the Crescent City Farmers Market. Richard and I reflect on our experiences during those uncertain days following the storm and the grassroots effort that led to the market reopening just ten weeks later. Next, we turn to the late New Orleans icon Leah Chase. We revisit inspirational conversations we had with the beloved chef at Dooky Chase Restaurant about the unexpected gifts of Katrina. Finally, as Natco Food Service celebrates its centennial this year, we learn about one of the most difficult chapters in its history. Family proprietors Anne Babin and her brother John Lalla tell us the story of what happened at their meat-filled facility in the hurricane's aftermath and how the company bounced back. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Every Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of members of the LGBTQ community from around the world gather in New Orleans for the five-day party known as Southern Decadence. To celebrate, this week, we bring you stories of culinarians expressing queerness through food. First, we hear from John Birdsall, author of "What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution." He tells us about the often-unknown gay influence on modern American cuisine and some of the hidden heroes who have contributed so much to how and what we eat. And, perhaps most importantly, he answers the titular question of his book. Then, we catch up with our New Orleans friends, Kitten N' Lou. You may know them as the couple who put on spectacular shows that combine drag, dance, burlesque, and a theater. By day, they're the owners of Chance In Hell SnoBalls in the New Orleans' Bywater neighborhood. We visit the dynamic duo, who have moved their operation from a front porch pandemic project to a popular brick-and-mortar shop. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In 1946, a New Orleans bar owner named Owen Brennan opened Brennan's Vieux Carré on Bourbon Street. Fresh out of high school, his sister Ella became his de facto manager there. Just before Owen's untimely death a few years later, plans were in place to move the restaurant to Royal Street, where the Brennan family dynasty truly began. Today, Brennan's Restaurant on Royal Street is grander than ever – all thanks to the loving care of Owen and Ella's nephew, Ralph Brennan. Named one of the 20 most influential restaurant people in the country by Restaurant Business Magazine, Ralph runs some of the city's finest dining destinations. There's Ralph's on the Park, Red Fish Grill, the Napoleon House and Café NOMA, just to name a few. On this week's show, we sit down with Ralph Brennan himself to discuss his life in food. Then, we speak with Braithe Tidwell, the corporate beverage director for the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group. Braithe helped the wine program at Brennan's regain its status on the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning list. Most recently, Braithe collaborated with Piper Heidsieck to create a bespoke Brennan's champagne. Next, we learn about Brennan's annual tradition of hosting the "Slowest Second Line on Earth," complete with ten terrific turtles and a rapping judge. Finally, we step inside Brennan's kitchen for an unforgettable breakfast. For their poached eggs alone, the restaurant goes through over half a million eggs each year. Executive Chef Ryan Hacker shows us how his team perfectly poaches hundreds of eggs at a time to feed crowds of hungry morning diners. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The origins of our food and foodways are usually not well known and can sometimes be hard to track down. After all, how do you figure out the origins of something that’s been around for centuries? On this week’s show, we learn the history behind dishes that define our American cuisine and the traditions surrounding them. We begin with Dr. David Shields of the University of South Carolina. His book, "The Culinarians" explores the lives and careers of those who had a hand in creating the first age of American fine dining. Then, we find out whether whiskey is bourbon or bourbon whiskey? We’re joined by author and spirits historian Fred Minnick. He answers that question for us as well as who really taught Jack Daniel to distill. Next, we speak with Gabrielle Langholtz, author of "America: The Cookbook." Gabrielle’s encyclopedic tome explores our nation’s identity through the immigrant stories and recipes that created American food as we know it. Finally, we learn the history of Chinese restaurants in the U.S. with U.C. Irvine professor, Yong Chen. Chen's book, "Chop Suey, USA," follows the history of Chinese cuisine in America – from the first four restaurants in California during the Gold Rush, to the nearly 50 thousand Chinese restaurants found across the country today. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Summers in Louisiana tend to linger longer than elsewhere in the U.S., and for many locals, the heat is a perfect excuse to skip town for more exotic destinations. But for those of us who plan to stick around, there are plenty of ways to take a vacation without needing to pack a bag. On this week's show, we travel virtually to the French Riviera with New Orleans chef Samuel Peery. Finding inspiration from coastal brasseries in French cities like Nice and Marseille, Sam has created a menu at the Kimpton Hotel's King Brasserie that offers a taste of the Côte d'Azur only half a mile from the Mississippi River. Over at The Bell, a British-inspired pub in New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood, locals can stop in for an ale or lager served in imperial pints – or dine in a room decked in tartan fabrics, dark woods, and Union Jack flags. Owner Andrew Bell tells us how he went from a career in professional soccer to become a British publican in the Pelican State. Finally, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Exhibition Hub's newest immersive exhibit in New Orleans. Titanic: An Immersive Voyage takes visitors back to 1912 to experience the ship as a passenger on its ill-fated maiden voyage. Executive producer John Zaller tells us about the exhibition and the important role food played on the luxury liner. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Although South Louisiana does not provide the easiest growing conditions, when fueled by passion and obsession, it's amazing what can be done. On this week's show, we introduce you to some real alternative thinkers who are successfully cultivating the unusual and the exotic. We begin with a trip to the SG Tiki Farm just across the state line in Pearlington, Mississippi. There, Chef Ernie Foundas grows exotic fruits and vegetables used in the dishes he serves at his restaurant in New Orleans' Bywater neighborhood, Suis Generis. With a passion for sustainability, both Ernie and his partner Adrienne Bell use every scrap of food to achieve a zero-waste model in their restaurant. Then, we head down to New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward to meet bamboo guru Mark Sanders – founder of Ninth Ward Nursery. He tells the story of turning his bamboo obsession into a business. Finally, get ready to see bamboo on your dinner plate. We chat with Kay Koppedrayer, author of Cooking With Bamboo, who shares how she came to make bamboo part of her family's diet and how you can do the same. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Each year in July, cocktailians by the tens of thousands descend on New Orleans for an industry convention unlike any other: Tales of the Cocktail. This week, we take you behind the scenes of the annual five-day event and meet some of the people you might run into there. We begin with Charlotte Voisey, who was just named Executive Director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. As a Tales participant since 2006, Charlotte has seen firsthand how the annual conference has grown over the years. She tells us about this year’s theme – "Evolve" – and how it applies to both the drinks industry and Tales itself. Next, we speak with Eric Seed, who has been called “the Indiana Jones of lost spirits.” He tells us about Haus Alpenz, his import company known for reviving obscure and rare liquors. Distiller Jackie Summers then introduces us to Sorel, a magical sip straight from the Caribbean islands. Finally, we learn what inspired Tim Etherington-Judge to found Healthy Hospo, an initiative that aims to make the hospitality industry a healthier and happier place. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Here in Louisiana, intergenerational cooking is a way of life. Who doesn't treasure their great grandmother's gumbo recipe or still use their mom's roasting pan? This week, we talk with two women of East Asian heritage whose families and cultures share that motherly love expressed through food. Local-girl-made-good, Chef Nini Nguyen, grew up among the large Vietnamese population in New Orleans and shot to national prominence on "Top Chef." Nini joins us to talk about her rise to fame, her family, and her publication, "Đặc Biệt: An Extra Special Vietnamese Cookbook," which was named cookbook of the year by NPR. Then, we hear from Sarah Ahn, the social media manager for America's Test Kitchen and creator of Ahnest Kitchen, the website on which she recounts stories of her life and those of her Korean immigrant parents. Sarah's also the author of, "Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes." She tells us about her bestselling cookbook, which is also part family memoir and part cultural history. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

French culture holds a special place in Louisiana's heart, whether it's music, language, or food! On this week's show, we travel to France virtually and bring home a taste of their lifestyle and cuisine. We begin with Makenna Held, author of "Mostly French: Recipes from a Kitchen in Provence," which is both a cookbook and a chronicle of life in the French countryside, where she runs an innovative cooking school at Julia Child's former home. Then, James Beard Award-winning author Aleksandra Crapanzano lets us in on the sumptuous secrets of Parisian home bakers found in her book, "Gâteau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes." Next, we revisit our 2015 trip to Paris, when Paris By Mouth's Jennifer Greco introduced us to a charming charcuterie in the Marais called Caractère de Cochon, a play on words that means "pigheaded." Finally, we head back to New Orleans to speak with Dominique Rizzo of Celtica Bakery. The French-born chef moved here decades ago to share his passion for the food of his native country. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

A lot of magic can be made with nothing more than flour, sugar, and, of course, butter! On this week's show, we explore the magic that some folks are achieving with just that combination. First, we hear from Juliana Fernandes and Juliana Freire, the dynamic duo behind one of New Orleans' newest eateries, Juliana's Brazilian Bakery and Café. Playfully decorated in pastel pinks and greens, the cozy Lakeview neighborhood café features a pastry case brimming with beautiful cakes and Brazilian bonbons known as brigadeiros. The kitchen also offers a breakfast and lunch menu, including the Brazilian national beans and rice dish, feijoada. The two Julianas tell us all how their little Brazilian outpost came to be. Next, we chat with the affable Ralph the Baker, a local cook who has become an international social media sensation. He explains how he has built his online presence to include millions of followers and why he's the baker who almost never bakes. Finally, we learn about the little bakery that king cake built. Only a few years after Martha Gilreath achieved fame for her Nolita king cakes, she has opened up a brick-and-mortar bakery in New Orleans – selling items like bialys, boudin danish, and something called "cros'saints." We stop by her warm, sunny space, located just a few blocks from Bayou St. John in Mid-City. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

This month, as Louisiana Eats marks our 15th anniversary, we're relishing the opportunity to bring you some favorite moments from our archives. We begin with our 2011 interview with the late civil rights activist, Dr. Rudy Lombard. He talks about his role in the 1960 McCrory's lunch counter sit-in and what motivated him to write his seminal 1978 book, "Creole Feast." Then, we revisit our 2011 tribute to one of the chefs featured in that tome: Clarence "Buster" Holmes. British jazz drummer Barry Martyn and Chef Susan Spicer both share memories of their friend and mentor. Next, we hear again from the late Michael Mizell-Nelson, who spent his career studying the experience of working-class New Orleans. We bring you the second half of our streetcar ride with Michael in 2010, as he shares the history of public transportation during the era of Jim Crow. To end our show, we spotlight our 2011 conversation with local icon Mildred Covert, who taught the world how to cook Creole and Cajun while keeping kosher. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Louisiana Eats hit a major milestone last week – 15 years on the air. That's well over 500 episodes featuring somewhere around a thousand different voices! This week, we bring you three interviews from our archives that celebrate some late, great Louisiana legends. We begin with a tribute to Chef Paul Prudhomme, his wife Kay, and their lost French Quarter restaurant, K-Paul's. We revisit an unforgettable conversation we had with Sandy Hanson and her brother-in-law, Chef Frank Brigtsen, after Paul died in 2015. Both Sandy and Frank were K-Paul veterans from the restaurant's earliest days. They share memories of their time there and the profound impact both Kay and Paul had on their lives. Then, we bring you the voices of two late New Orleans TV icons. The first is broadcast pioneer Terry Flettrich Rohe. Those who grew up in the Crescent City in the 1950s may remember Terry as "Mrs. Muffin" on a WDSU-TV daily children's program that she hosted for almost a decade. She was also the producer and host of Midday, one of the network's most popular programs. The second is seafood magnate Al Scramuzza, who passed away in May at the age of 97. Al's comical and campy TV ads dominated the airwaves for decades – and each of them he wrote, produced, and starred in. But even before his commercials made him a household name, Al was combining his acumen for business and marketing to turn a profit. All the while, he played a major role in the mudbug's rise to culinary fame. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On this week's show, we're celebrating the 15th anniversary of our show's debut! We've dug through our archives to bring you some of our favorite moments over the past decade and a half, with an emphasis on Louisiana culture and cuisine. The very first episode of Louisiana Eats broadcast on June 9, 2010. That year also marked the 125th anniversary of New Orleans' streetcar line. We look back at our very first field piece, when we took a streetcar ride with the late, great historian Michael Mizell-Nelson. Then, we revisit our conversation with Priestess Miriam Chamani, who presides over North Rampart Street's Voodoo Spiritual Temple. Next, we return to Pascal's Manale's oyster bar for a once-in-a-lifetime shucking experience with celebrity oyster shucker "Uptown T" Thomas Stewart, before wild man Joey Fonseca takes us on a virtual alligator hunt. Finally, we rediscover our 2014 field trip to Great Raft Brewing in Shreveport, where we learn all about what makes the flavor profile of craft beer in the Shreveport-Bossier area distinctive.