Louisiana Eats

Businesses open. Businesses close. But some businesses manage to recover from calamities of biblical proportions. On this week's show, we learn what it takes to rebuild a beloved brand after a long hiatus. First, we hear from Drew Ramsey, whose family has run Hubig's, makers of New Orleans' favorite hand pies for three generations. At least they did, until a fire destroyed their factory in 2012. But like a fried phoenix rising from the ashes, Hubig's is back in business after a 10-year absence. And 17 years after Hurricane Katrina nearly ended his family's legacy, Vance Vaucresson has returned three generations of sausage-making traditions back to the Seventh Ward. We learn about the struggles Vaucresson Sausage Company faced before and after the storm and its long road to recovery. Not only are the Vaucressons back, but they're growing! Julie Vaucresson – the Creole Sausage Queen herself – reveals the story of how their new mustard line came to join their family's revered brand. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In today’s society, meat often gets a bad rap. But this week, we speak with three people who find great beauty in the art of the butcher, the finger-licking taste of barbecue, and even the usefulness of wild hogs. First, Chef Matt Moore chats about his latest cookbook, Butcher on the Block, which is chock full of over 125 recipes for grilling and barbecue. The volume also offers a butchering primer for at-home cooks, as well as a personal introduction to the butchers behind the recipes. Next, Pitmaster Ryan Mitchell, son of barbecue legend Ed Mitchell, talks about the nearly forgotten craft of whole-hog barbecue and his family’s barbecue legacy. It's documented along with some award-winning recipes in the father and son's first cookbook, Ed Mitchell's Barbeque. Finally, Julie Grunewald, executive director of Hunters for the Hungry, joins us to explain how local sportsmen are using wild game to feed those in need. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Every Saturday morning, the Covington Farmers Market delivers a delicious dose of family fun in the heart of the city’s downtown. Farmers, chefs, musicians, and foodies come together to celebrate the bounty that is Louisiana food. Widely considered to be one of the best markets in the state, it is also one of the oldest. Founded in the mid-1990s, long before the farm-to-table craze began, the market was hardly an overnight success. It took years of hard work from countless people. On this podcast, we speak with three individuals who were instrumental in getting the Covington Farmers Market off the ground and shaping it into what it is today: Bo Gallup, Jan Biggs, and Ann McKenzie Mellon.

New Orleans chefs Susan Spicer and Frank Brigtsen are both culinary icons. They are also back-to-back recipients of the coveted Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, presented each year by the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience: Frank was recognized in 2022; Susan received the 2023 award in January at a gala celebration at The Four Seasons Hotel. On this week's show, we sit down with both honorees – who each have culinary careers spanning over 40 years – to learn about their successes and the challenges they overcame to become the legends they are today. We begin with Chef Susan Spicer. Back in 1998, The New York Times named Susan the “Quiet Star of New Orleans.” 25 years later, she remains one of the city’s most celebrated culinary figures, showcasing her talents at the helm of such restaurants as Bayona and Rosedale. Susan reflects on a career of accomplishments. And how do you create a life's legacy? If you've ever had a bite of Chef Frank Brigtsen's authentic Creole cooking, you've tasted it. From 1978 through the early ’80s, Chef Frank earned his culinary stripes in the kitchens of Commander's Palace and K-Paul's, working under the watchful eye of Paul Prudhomme. Building on those years of apprenticeship, in 1986, he opened Brigtsen's Restaurant to local and national critical acclaim. The legendary New Orleans chef looks back at his 50-year career in hospitality. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Commander's Palace has been a New Orleans culinary landmark since it first opened in the city's Garden District in 1893. Once Ella Brennan and her family took It over in the 1970s, it became an international sensation, elevating Louisiana cuisine and launching the careers of chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. On this week's show, we celebrate 130 years of Commander's Palace by dipping into our archives to bring you Commander's stories past and present. We begin with the restaurant's Executive Chef Meg Bickford, the first female in 127 years to burst through the gender barrier and command the historic kitchen. There's an awful lot of talent and power in that tiny little frame. Then, we hear from Lally Brennan and Ti Martin, the ladies who have been at the helm of Commander's for over two decades. They discuss their relationship with the institution and share their experiences growing up as members of one of New Orleans' most famous restaurant families. Finally, Dickie Brennan shares memories of the early days of Commander's Palace, and how his dad, Dick Brennan, both invented the iconic jazz brunch and dreamt up some of the restaurant's most famous dishes. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Many chefs spend their entire careers content to run a single restaurant. But others have a different vision – one that encompasses multiple locations or even various kinds of eateries. This week, we take a look at three such New Orleans restaurateurs and find out how they've gone about building their culinary empires. We begin with Chef Aaron Burgau, who opened his first restaurant, Patois, in 2007. Since then, he’s opened or acquired four more dining spots – each one completely different than the last. Aaron shares the secrets to his success. Next, restaurateur Greg Tillery recalls the leap of faith that led him to buy a food truck, where he learned, through trial and error, how to run a business. He explains to us how those efforts led to his We Dat's Chicken and Shrimp, with locations now in three different states – and even a seasoning line. Finally, we look back at one of New Orleans’ most colorful culinary characters – the late Al Copeland, who founded the Popeyes fried chicken empire. This kitchen-rags-to-chicken-riches story is the subject of the book Secrets of a Tastemaker. Al Copeland, Jr. joins us to discuss his father's life – from his humble beginnings and through its highs and lows. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Barely thirty minutes northeast of New Orleans, you'll find a thriving, world class culinary scene in Slidell, Louisiana. For over 20 years now, Duffy Ramirez has paved the fine dining path at Palmettos on the Bayou. Beginning with a century-old homestead, Duffy expanded and grew his restaurant from the original 40 seats to today's capacity for up to 400 without ever losing the intimate feel of Palmettos' original cottage. When executive chef Ross Dover took the reins in Palmettos' kitchen, the operation took a serious step up. We sat down in the restaurant's dining room for two conversations: first with Chef Ross and then with Duffy to learn more about the special spot along the bayou.

Fine china and crystal, earthenware and artisan glassware – it doesn’t matter what you have – it can all be transformed into a personal expression of your welcoming hospitality. On this week's show, we speak with some of the nation's finest tableware experts for an education and some inspiration. First, we chat with Susan Gravely, founder of Vietri, the lifestyle company that has brightened American tables with artisan-crafted Italian dinnerware for the past 40 years. Susan discusses her life lessons in setting a stylish table and the book she penned to celebrate Vietri's anniversary – Italy on a Plate. Then, John Stuart Gordon offers his thoughts on the role silver flatware played in the dining rituals of the 19th century. John has the unique honor of curating American decorative arts at the Yale University Art Gallery, creating for himself the perfect marriage of passion and career. Finally, we hear from Antiques Roadshow appraiser Nick Dawes. Nick's expertise gives him a remarkable view into the lives of people and their ancestors through the relics that they bring to the PBS show. His visit to the Historic New Orleans Collection's Antiques Forum gave us the opportunity to tap his vast knowledge of ceramics and glass. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Alcohol in almost any form is one of the oldest medicines known to man. On this week's show, we explore the world of high proof healing. We start with Camper English, author of Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails. Camper covers everything from mystic botanicals and their monastic apothecary origins to the unusual relationship between syphilis and root beer. The conversation continues with Noah Rothbaum, who expounds on curatives that found their way from the medicine cabinet to the liquor cabinet. And then of course, there was that troublesome period known as Prohibition. That's when the apothecary filled your prescription for alcohol and soda fountains became commonplace at the pharmacy. Darcy O’Neil joins us for a conversation that may have you rethinking what you knew about the soda fountain. Finally, we visit Poppy's personal apothecary on the corner. Stephanie Haeberlin of Art Farm creates all sorts of healing and beauty products that originate in her garden on Canal Boulevard in New Orleans. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Every year, thousands of tourists touch down at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong airport expecting to partake in an unforgettable culinary experience. With no shortage of places to drink and dine, the first question visitors often ask is: "Where do locals go?" On this week's show, we explore neighborhood spots that have a strong local following in the Crescent City. We begin with Morning Call, a coffee and beignet shop with over 150 years of local history. Co-owner Bob Hennessey talks with us about the beloved café that opens early and closes late on the edge of Mid-City. Then, we visit local institution Juan's Flying Burrito. A quarter century ago, founder Warren Chapoton saw a lot of fine-dining restaurants and funky dives in New Orleans, but nothing in between. He and co-owner Jay Morris explain how their "punk rock burrito shop" got off the ground and expanded across the city. We also make our way over to popular Bywater restaurant Pizza Delicious – a place regulars call Pizza D. Co-owner Michael Friedman talks with us about the hot spot, which he opened in 2015 with Greg Augarten. Finally, we join Geoffrey Meeker, owner of French Truck Coffee. It took only one cup of coffee from San Francisco to inspire him to become a New Orleans coffee purveyor. Now, Geoffrey and his team are at the vanguard of what is often characterized as the "third wave" coffee movement. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The restaurant landscape in America is rapidly changing. The pandemic gave a lot of people time to rethink, retool, and redo the way the industry works. On this week's show, we speak with young chefs and restaurateurs who are changing the rules and reshaping culinary culture. We begin with Chef Mason Hereford, who has earned a reputation for his creative approach to dining, transforming everyday ingredients into sublime dishes. With the emergence of each eatery he has opened since his first successful venture, Turkey and the Wolf, Mason has also broken new ground in his approach to management and restaurant culture. Then, Chef Serigne Mbaye discusses his approach to operating his fine dining establishment, Dakar NOLA. Serigne is among a growing number of chefs here and around the country who are finding that serving a seasonal tasting menu translates to a better experience for both the restaurant's guests and staff. And when it comes to rethinking everything, Saint Germain has got it going on. After years of working in the industry, co-chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith and general manager Drew Delaughter set out to run a restaurant their way. The trio offers a 10-course tasting menu to a small number of diners at a time in their renovated shotgun house. Finally, we travel across the Causeway to meet Anna Watkins and Amanda Birdsong, the dynamic duo currently causing a stir in downtown Covington at Cured on Columbia. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Each July, Tales of the Cocktail draws tipplers from across the globe to New Orleans for a week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology. On this week's show, we get into the spirit of the event with world-renowned cocktailians who have made a big splash in the cocktail world. At the turn of the 21st century, bartenders began to discover the old ways of mixing drinks and the craft cocktail revolution was ignited. David Wondrich was at the center of that movement. David tells us about those early days and his accidental debut as a cocktail writer. Then, Robert Simonson, called "our man in the liquor-soaked trenches," by the New York Times, discusses the role New Orleans has played in the decline and revival of craft cocktails. He also tells us about his acclaimed book, The Old-Fashioned, which is devoted exclusively to the lore and legacy of an iconic drink. Finally, we speak with a man who's got whiskey in his blood: Bulleit Bourbon founder Tom Bulleit. He explains what propelled him to bite the bullet and pursue a full-time career in whiskey. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Peanut butter and jelly. Onions, bell peppers, and celery. The food world is filled with dynamic duos and terrific trios. On this week's show, we meet spouses, siblings, and close friends whose bonds have been deepened by their love of food, drink, and music. We begin with the popular New Orleans pop-up Chance in Hell Snoballs where owners Kitten N' Lou craft all their flavors with local ingredients and combinations you may have never heard of before. When they're not making snoballs, the married couple are drag and cabaret performers, gracing the world's stages with their popular burlesque shows. So how did they come to start a snoball stand on their Bywater porch? Kitten N' Lou tell us the story. Then, we meet two New Orleans brothers and their childhood next-door neighbor whose lifelong friendships have often intersected with their shared passions for music and food. Marc Ardoin, Rouses Freret Street Market Manager, sits down with us along with Chef Alfredo "Fredo" Nogueira of Vals (also on Freret Street) and Fredo's little brother, WDSU Marketing Exec, Juan Nogueira. Finally, we have a conversation with Ray and B.J. Bordelon, whose extensive collection of absinthe antiques and accouterments is on display at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. The Brothers Bordelon give us some insight into their obsession and show us some unique pieces of memorabilia that make up the exhibit. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures, music, and – of course – food. On this week's show, we explore some international flavors found in our own backyard. We begin with Merritt Coscia and Tyler Stuart of Plume Algiers. Although neither of the American-born-and-bred pair have any Indian heritage in their backgrounds, they became captivated by the culture and flavors of India when traveling across the subcontinent. The couple's passion for regional Indian cuisine is on display at their restaurant Plume Algiers on New Orleans' Westbank. Merritt and Tyler join us in the studio to talk about their restaurant and the travels that inspired it. Passion is certainly the driver behind Abigayle Rhode-Pausina's work. The New Orleans native has taken her cultural exploration to Lebanon and beyond, but has most recently concentrated her efforts on the Lebanese and Syrian families who have called the Crescent City home for generations. We sit down with Abigayle to discuss her new exhibit at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum called "A Syrian-Lebanese American Kitchen." Finally, Chinese food continues to be a favorite both locally and across America. In her food blog, Omnivore's Cookbook, Maggie Zhu writes about modern Chinese cooking, Asian-inspired dishes, and classic recipes designed for the Western home chef. For her first cookbook, "Chinese Homestyle," Maggie narrows her focus to plant-based dishes. She speaks with us about the book and shares some tips that are as simple as they are delicious. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On this week's show, we look at agriculture and innovation in our state and beyond. We begin with New Orleans' native son Richard McCarthy, founder of the Crescent City Farmers Market and former executive director of Slow Food USA. The activist recently published a book entitled, Kuni: A Japanese Vision and Practice for Urban-Rural Reconnection. Richard shares the revolutionary ideas and practices his co-author Tsuyoshi Sekihara is using to save rural areas that were abandoned in postwar Japan. Then, we get an up close look at Louisiana's rice production with expert Steve Linscombe. Steve currently serves as director of the Rice Foundation, but for most of his career, he was instrumental in innovating Louisiana’s rice varieties and cultivation. Finally, we learn about Nourish Louisiana, a state-funded food purchase program that buys food from local farmers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and feeds communities that need it most. We speak with two of the program's partners: Natalie Jayroe of Second Harvest Food Bank and Margee Green of Sprout NOLA. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

New Orleanians have always loved to cook and to share what they've made with others. So it makes sense that as soon as there was television, there was a Crescent City chef on the screen spreading the good news of New Orleans food. The first was an African American cooking star named Lena Richard, who made her TV debut on WDSU-TV in 1949. Fast forward to today, and it’s tough to tune in to any cooking show and not see a familiar face. This week, three local chefs walk us through the fun and the frenzy of their television encounters. We begin with Mason Hereford of Turkey and the Wolf and Molly's Rise and Shine, who talks about his experience in the lauded Iron Chef competition as well as his popular appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. More recently, Mason took part in another media adventure and host Poppy Tooker went along for the ride. Next, chef and YouTube star Toya Boudy explains the strategies she used when making her rounds on cooking competition shows. Toya talks about her life and mission, which she talks about in her first cookbook, Cooking for the Culture: Recipes and Stories from the Streets of New Orleans to the Table. Finally, Chef Kevin Belton tells of his journey from a child growing up in New Orleans to cooking show host on PBS affiliate WYES and WWL-TV. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

From beignets to poor boys, gumbo to jambalaya, and crawfish to boudin, Louisiana’s cuisine is as eclectic as it is delectable. On this week’s show, we explore our state’s rich food culture, based on centuries of Creole and Cajun traditions. We begin with New Orleans native and Southern Food & Beverage Museum founder Liz Williams. She spent many years researching her award-winning book New Orleans: A Food Biography, which would go on to be selected for the One Book One New Orleans program during the city’s tricentennial year. Liz explores the roles history, geography, and economics played in shaping the Crescent City’s distinct culinary identity. Then, we take a close-up look at Louisiana’s most emblematic foods with author Maggie Heyn Richardson, author of Hungry for Louisiana. Maggie tells us about red boudin and why it's in danger of disappearing from our state. Finally, we stir our appetite for roux, rice, and gumbo with The Essential Louisiana Cookbook author Stanley Dry. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In her book, To Boldly Grow, author Tamar Haspel uses the term "first-hand food" to describe anything you get with your own two hands – meals we grow, fish, hunt, or even forage. According to the Washington Post food columnist, growing and sourcing your own food just makes it taste better. On this week's show, we get our hands dirty and meet some people who have a passion for the great outdoors. Before Tamar shares her wisdom with us, we learn what the buzz is about at New Orleans' Audubon Zoo. While more exotic creatures may be what draw the crowds, both native and European honey bees can be found bumbling around the zoo's grounds. Curator Dominique Fleitas gives us a tour of the Pollinator Garden and shows us the hives she helps maintain in the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. We also tell you about the strange history of hippos in Louisiana and meet Danlyn Brennan, who has spent her life foraging wild edibles. Her passion for wild craft is clear yet complicated by a desire to keep her methods and locations hidden. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On Columbia Street in the heart of downtown Covington, you'll find Cured. on Columbia – a culinary venture that doesn’t fall neatly into a traditional category. It's part coffee house and part pub, with a changing menu that includes everything from sandwiches and soups to cheese and charcuterie boards. It's perhaps better defined by its vibe. Cured. on Columbia is a sunny, lively space that embraces guests as they are and gives them a place to kick up their heels and hang out – anytime from morning coffee to cocktails after work. Co-owners Amanda Birdsong and Anna Watkins joined us in their back garden to talk about their community-based business – a place some locals have described as "Covington's living room."

Since 2021, June 19th – or Juneteenth as it's popularly known – has been a federal holiday commemorating the end of enslavement in the United States. On this week's show, we celebrate the day with a trio of African American chefs who discuss the inspiration they draw from their spiritual ancestors. First, we hear from Chef Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA about his plans for a grand Juneteenth feast in honor of the holiday. Next, Chef Ashbell McElveen tells the fascinating story of James Hemings, the enslaved man who was the founding father of American fine dining. And finally, chef and cooking school director Dee Lavigne talks with us about African American chef and entrepreneur Lena Richard, who, by the 1940s, had become the Crescent City's premier caterer, a renowned cookbook author, and the first TV food personality. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.