Louisiana Eats

In the late 1800s, industrialization carried the United States into a new era – one of great wealth and elaborate lifestyles for those at the top. It was frequent New Orleans visitor Mark Twain who coined the term the "Gilded Age," which would later be associated with this time of conspicuous consumption. This week, we take a look at the glorious food at the center of it all. First, we chat with Becky Diamond, author of "The Gilded Age Cookbook," who recounts the lavish menus and extravagant parties the uber-rich served up in the late 19th century. Her tome offers more than 75 sumptuous recipes of the period, from salmon en papillote to dainty tea sandwiches, accompanied by full-color photographs of the dishes. Then, we sit down for an in-depth interview with actor and musician Michael Cerveris. The two-time Tony Award winner knows what it's like to live among the outrageous wealth and opulence of late-19th-century America, having played the valet Watson in the television series The Gilded Age. But that HBO drama is a late entry on Michael's long performing résumé. He's also had an impressive run on stage, in both musicals and straight plays. Locals may know Michael from his role in the post-Katrina New Orleans TV series Treme, or as co-founder of the popular Americana band Loose Cattle. Or, maybe, as the guy who lives down the street. Michael regales us with stories of his fascinating career and explains why he made the decision to call New Orleans home. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Whether it's through television, books, or blogs – Louisiana's food culture is reaching audiences far beyond our borders. On this week's show, we meet three unofficial ambassadors who represent our state and cuisine on the world stage. We begin with Chef Isaac Toups of Toups' Meatery in New Orleans' Mid City neighborhood. In 2016, we discovered just how much the camera loved Isaac when he was voted fan favorite on Bravo Network's "Top Chef." In the years since, Isaac has successfully promoted Cajun cuisine and culture thanks to his popular cookbook, "Chasing the Gator." George Graham has called Acadiana home his entire life and has made it his mission to preserve and promote Cajun and Creole culture through stories and recipes. George shares his obsession through his nationally recognized blog and book, "Acadiana Table: Cajun and Creole Home Cooking from the Heart of Louisiana." Finally, Chef Kevin Belton tells of his journey from a child growing up in New Orleans to PBS cooking show host – a job that has him introducing the cuisine of the Bayou State to countless foodies. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

While most of the country makes New Year's resolutions that kick in right after January 1st, in Louisiana, there tends to be a slight postponement. That's because Carnival Season, a time of indulgence, kicks off on January 6th with the astounding king cake eating and cocktail drinking that comes with it. So, our resolutions about healthy living and sobriety tend to wait until Ash Wednesday – the day after Mardi Gras. This week, we hear from experts about the merits of clean living. Since she first opened her practice, Dr. Erika Siegel has extolled the virtues of eating the right foods as the foundation of good health. Across a decade and a half, the naturopathic physician collected all of her sage advice and put it into a book, "The Nourish Me Kitchen." The first half of the two-volume set offers easily digestible recommendations from stocking a healthy pantry to getting a good night's sleep. The second half features more than 300 recipes for creating healthy and delicious meals. Dr. Siegel joins us in the studio to discuss her book and share some practical advice on achieving and maintaining optimal health. Then, two of the Big Easy's native sons, Chris Copeland and Dan Forman tell us about how their NOLA Detox and Recovery Center incorporates New Orleans-style hospitality and food to help clients overcome addiction. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In many cultures across the globe, food is closely intertwined with spirituality and religion. The Passover seder celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of a month-long fast, with families gathering for a large celebratory meal. And the Christian gospels contain stories of Jesus breaking bread, multiplying loaves and fishes, and turning water into wine. On this week’s show, we meditate on the elemental link between food and faith. We begin with Jody Eddy. The peripatetic author spent two years visiting monasteries, temples, and other spiritual communities – from Minnesota to Morocco, Ireland to Japan – discovering the rich culinary rituals of each group. She compiled her experiences in Elysian Kitchens: Recipes Inspired by the Traditions and Tastes of the World's Sacred Spaces, a fascinating cookbook full of traditional recipes and the stories of their spiritual roots. Then, the monks of the Drepung Gomang Monastery are back in New Orleans as part of their Sacred Arts Tour. The last time the Buddhist monks were in town, Louisiana Eats joined them in the kitchen as they prepared a traditional Tibetan meal. We give you a taste of that extraordinary evening. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Chinese cooking has been a part of the American dining scene since the mid-1800s and remains an integral aspect of the industry today. This week, we take an in-depth look at the Chinese restaurant tradition from a variety of perspectives. For decades, the parking lot was always full at the little red building just across the parish line from New Orleans. Inside, a packed house of diners could be found happily munching on dim sum and other Cantonese dishes at Royal China Restaurant. In 2021, after forty-plus years in business, Shirley Lee and her husband Chef Tang Lee decided to retire. But now they are back with their new restaurant, Miss Shirley's on Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans. That hostess with the mostest and her daughter who helps run the business, Carling Lee, visited our studio to tell us how restaurateurs-turned-retirees turned restaurateurs again. Next, we talk to Curtis Chin, who came of age in Detroit at a Chinese restaurant run by multiple generations of his family. Like many immigrant families, Curtis' parents worked long, hard hours running their business with time for little else. But they made sure that their children were exposed to the wider world and all it had to offer. Curtis reflects on the lessons he took from that childhood experience in his memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Finally, Chef Andrew Lu joins us. Having grown up in Lafayette, the child of immigrants from China, Andrew is truly an Asian Cajun. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the name of his popular pop-up restaurant – Get Your Mom and Dim Sum. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Mardi Gras is just around the corner. That means king cake lovers only have a matter of days remaining to enjoy a slice of the beloved Carnival treat before Lent begins. But how do you pick the right king cake for you? With hundreds of varieties to choose from, it can be a daunting task. For this week's show, we've reached out to some king cake experts for help. We begin with Sami Messerle, also known as Instagram's Krewe du King Cake. Sami discusses her undying love of the official Mardi Gras pastry and fills us in on what's new and interesting this season. Next, we speak with Matt Haines, author of The Big Book of King Cake – a weighty tome that is virtually the bible on the seasonal topic. Matt uncovered amazing historical facts and chronicled the lives and cakes of 75 bakers while writing his coffee table book. Finally, we meet Patrick Bordnick. Like Pavlov's dog before them, Patrick's canine companions have been conditioned to salivate whenever they encounter king cake. For nearly every day of the Mardi Gras season, Patrick and his pups sample a new cake and rate it. Patrick then posts their conclusions on his Instagram page, where the whole family enjoys a following. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

No matter where you live in Louisiana, it's Mardi Gras time! Carnival is when we all get to suspend our disbelief, don a mask, do or be something outrageous. This week, we explore the many ways people celebrate the season. First, we hear from Abby Roniger, author of the colorful new children's book, Carnival Time in My Mind, which depicts the joy and excitement of being a kid at Mardi Gras. The book will bring back memories for anyone lucky enough to have grown up in New Orleans and is a lovely introduction to the celebration for kids everywhere. Then, author and photographer Sally Asher takes a break from her professional endeavors to talk about the various ways she celebrates Carnival – including roller skating down St. Charles Avenue, riding high atop a parade float, and dancing in the street. More importantly, she shares her very specific dining and drinking preferences during each of the season's big events. And Louisiana cultural scholar John LaFleur joins us to talk about the Courir de Mardi Gras, a ritual that takes place in rural Creole and Cajun parishes. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Since reopening with much fanfare in 2015, New Orleans' St. Roch Market has experienced ups and downs, but the city's second oldest city market is still standing. Since 2015, St. Roch has functioned as a culinary incubator for food professional wannabes – and what a bunch of delicious incubation is happening there now! On this week's show, we speak with the market's new director, longtime vendor Kevin Pedeaux, and learn why that bustling spot on St. Claude is the place to be these days. We then go stall by stall to meet the vendors – the St. Roch stars who are cooking up some of the most diverse offerings to be found under one single roof today. Next, we hear from one of St. Roch Market's biggest success stories. Chef Charly Pierre began creating delicious Haitian dishes based on the traditional street foods that abound in his ancestral homeland. Charly's career has since skyrocketed. He's been featured on a number of national cooking competition shows, and garnered accolades from the likes of Zagat, Eater, and the James Beard Foundation. These days, Charly can be found in the kitchen of his own Basin Street restaurant, Fritai. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On Sunday, February 9th, over 100,000 people are expected to pack into New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. This will mark the 11th Super Bowl in the city, tying Miami for most in NFL history. And there's a good reason the big game keeps coming back to the Big Easy: our food and hospitality are second to none. On this week's show, we celebrate iconic Louisiana foods that those swarms of sports fans will be seeking out during their stay. We kick off with Louisiana Fish Fry. Remember the chicken sandwich wars that pitted fast-food chains against each other? Last year, the Louisiana Fried Chicken Sandwich Challenge set out to show that the best chicken sandwich in America was actually made in a home cook's kitchen. We learn about the national contest and meet champion Mindea Pituk, who won a trip to the Superdome on Super Bowl Sunday. Then, we've got a game of two halves – of bread! Burke Bischoff's paperback Po'Boy, tells the story of the classic New Orleans poor boy sandwich – its delicious and endless varieties, the real secret of the dish, and what it has to do with a 1929 streetcar strike. Next, we pass the ball to Samantha Stein and Dan Trahant of Reily Foods, the company behind Blue Plate Mayonnaise. We learn how they set out to create a new twist on two southern sauces – tartar and cocktail. Finally, we sit down with a big game player in the world of flavor. Pepper Baumer is the third-generation producer of local and national favorite, Crystal Hot Sauce. In 2023, the Baumer family celebrated a century of business here in Louisiana. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Folks are familiar with New Orleans' home-grown Creole and Cajun cuisines. But the Crescent City is also the place to taste delicious flavors from many cultures. This week, we pay tribute to a trio of chefs bringing Latin American fare to local tables. First, we talk to Ana Castro. Down in New Orleans' Bywater neighborhood, this much-lauded young chef is drawing crowds to her modern Mexican restaurant Acamaya. Also in Bywater, Chef Melissa Araujo's Alma Café offers a menu of Honduran specialties and, now, a second location in Mid-City. Finally, we hear from Carlos Sanchez, owner of Tournesol Café and Bakery, who spends his days in downtown Covington creating the delicious breads and pastries of his native El Salvador. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Many of us toy with the idea of committing our life stories to pen and paper. If you're a regular listener to Louisiana Eats, or simply another food obsessed Louisianan, odds are your biography may well take the form of food memoir. This week, we hear from a trio of writers who have been there and done that. First, we catch up with Sara Roahen. Her award-winning memoir, Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table, chronicles her adjustment to life in the Big Easy. But Sarah is also a teacher of memoir writing and has penned a guide for aspiring authors. She shares some tips from her book, How to Begin Writing Your Life Stories: Putting Memories on the Page. Next, author Karen Katz gives us backstage access to the wild world of food TV. She writes about her adventures as Emeril Lagasse's cooking show producer in her memoir, Getting Sauced: How I Learned Everything I Know About Food From Working in TV. Finally, we speak with stand-up comic and actor Dan Ahdoot. In his debut memoir, Undercooked: How I Let Food Become My Life Navigator and How Maybe That's a Dumb Way to Live, Dan examines his emotional relationship with food starting from childhood, and provides both an honest and comedic look at where that has gotten him. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The life of a chef is often regarded as glamorous and exciting, but in reality, it's a hard life – exemplified by long hours and frequent financial challenges. For many, it's the only life imaginable. Nathanial Zimet, the ambitious chef behind Boucherie and Bourrée in New Orleans, falls directly into that category. Drawn to the restaurant business at the age of 15, the North Carolina native soon learned it was the only career for him. On this week's show, we sit down with Nathanial to explore what led him from London's Le Cordon Bleu to his purple food truck in New Orleans, where his culinary life here began. From Hurricane Katrina to a near-fatal shooting in 2011 – the indomitable Nathaniel has risen to the top, again and again. So has Drew Ramsey, whose family has run Hubig's, makers of New Orleans’ favorite hand pies, for three generations. After a fire destroyed their factory in 2012, a return seemed improbable. But like a fried Phoenix rising from the ashes, Hubig's is back in business after a 10-year hiatus. Drew tells us his tale of tragedy to triumph. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Twelfth Night marks the birth of the late New Orleans icon, Leah Chase. The culinary legend, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 96, was the undisputed Queen of Creole Cooking and a civil rights activist who changed lives over a bowl of gumbo. On this week's show, we spend the hour honoring Leah's talent, achievements, and lasting legacy. We begin with one of our favorite Louisiana Eats moments: a special day we spent with Leah in 2012, when then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu kicked off the official start of Carnival season at Gallier Hall with king cake and a surprise for Leah on her 89th birthday. From there, we look back on Leah's early life in Madisonville, Louisiana. Leah describes growing up on a strawberry farm, and the lessons she learned that shaped the legend she would become. We continue with an oral history from NOLA Life Stories, in which Leah recounts her first experiences working in a café in the French Quarter, as told to Mark Cave of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Next, we arrive at a turning point in Leah's life — the moment she met big band leader Edgar "Dooky" Chase, Jr. Following their marriage, Leah went to work at Dooky's, her in-laws' simple sandwich shop in the Treme. As she began to serve Creole classics like gumbo and Chicken Clemenceau on fine linen, Leah elevated the dining culture for everyone. Leah tells us about her famous Gumbo z'Herbes, a dish she served at her restaurant every Holy Thursday for over 60 years. We also chronicle how Leah rebuilt Dooky Chase's after Hurricane Katrina. Eleven years after the storm, Leah experienced two other monumental life events — the first was her 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation. Months later, Leah's husband and partner Edgar "Dooky" Chase — the man who played a key role in her success — passed away at the age of 88. In this final segment, Leah reflects on their relationship and shares her thoughts on death and living a fulfilling life. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Another year has come and gone. As we look forward to a new one, Louisiana Eats is taking a moment to reflect on the year that was 2024. First, we remember educator, activist, and former First Lady of New Orleans – Sybil Haydel Morial – with an extended version of our 2016 conversation with her. She shares stories of growing up in the Jim Crow South and her husband's successful campaign to become first Black mayor of New Orleans. We also discuss the key roles Leah Chase and Dooky Chase's Restaurant played in Sybil's life. We also celebrate two restaurateurs who took on the task of feeding food insecure kids over the summer – Amanda and Isaac Toups of Toups' Meatery. We revisit our conversation with Amanda and give you an update on what their new nonprofit, Toups' Family Meal, accomplished in 2024. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

When it comes to supporting the community, chefs – New Orleans chefs in particular – are an extremely generous, giving bunch. And when it comes to helping their own in the service industry, they’ll gladly give the shirt off their back – literally! To raise funds for a local mental health services program for hospitality workers, 21 Crescent City chefs have recently peeled off a bit more than just their shirts, baring it all – or at least most of it – for charity. On this week's show, we learn about Jiggly Bits: The New Orleans Naked Chefs Calendar for 2025. The project is the brainchild of local food photographer, Kat Kimball. Kat joins us to discuss the cheeky calendar with stories of photoshoots involving fireballs, flying bagels, and strategically placed cookware. The chefs featured in Jiggly Bits are a veritable who's who of our city’s dining scene, including Mason Hereford of Turkey and the Wolf, Charly Pierre of Fritai, Nina Compton of Compère Lapin, and many more. We speak with Chef Nina, as well as Mr. June and Mr. November (Prince Lobo and Eric Cook) about what it's like to be in front of the camera in the altogether. We then learn about the charity they stripped down for: WeHelp NOLA. Founding Director Olivia McCoy tells us about the nonprofit which provides free mental healthcare access to service industry workers. Taking tasteful nudes is one thing, but photographing food? That's an art within itself. We end our show with prolific cookbook author Kit Wohl, who welcomes us into her home studio where she writes, cooks, styles, and photographs her beautiful books. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

No one needs to explain the spiritual aspect of cooking to Louisianans. For generations, the thoughtful preparation and service of food has been our way of loving people and building community. This week, we take a look at folks all around the world who also take a spiritual and community-based approach to food. First, we hear from author Jody Eddy, who spent two years visiting monasteries, temples, and other spiritual communities everywhere from Minnesota to Morocco, discovering the rich culinary rituals of each group. She compiled her experiences in Elysian Kitchens: Recipes Inspired by the Traditions and Tastes of the World's Sacred Spaces, a fascinating cookbook full of traditional recipes and the stories of their spiritual roots. Then, we explore one of the South's favorite backyard crops that's almost a religious icon in Louisiana – the mirliton. Planted ritually and used in religious ceremonies in Mesoamerica, mirliton has been traditionally planted on Christmas Eve and harvested in August – making regular appearances on Louisiana holiday tables. Our mirlitons drowned in Hurricane Katrina and were saved from extinction thanks to the efforts of Dr. Lance Hill. We get an update from the good doctor and learn how mirliton lovers from across the globe have connected through his website, Mirliton.org, resulting in the world's largest collection of mirliton recipes. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The elves are busy in Santa's workshop at this time of year! So as we head into the big holiday gift-giving time, Louisiana Eats is talking with some homegrown Louisiana elves for delicious inspiration. First, we hear from Jady Regard, CNO (Chief Nut Officer) and second-generation proprietor of Cane River Pecan Company in New Iberia. He tells us how the past half-century has seen his family's enterprise grow from a small Acadian pecan orchard to a purveyor of fine culinary gifts starring the state's official nut. Next, we head down to New Orleans' Lower Garden District to speak with Christopher Nobles of Piety and Desire Chocolate. Since founding his bespoke business in 2017, the local chocolatier has been uncompromising in his reverence and passion for chocolate, while balancing science and art in his bean-to-bar production. And nothing goes better with chocolate and pecans than a cup of New Orleans coffee! Patrick Brennan, of the famous restaurant clan, talks about leaving the family business to strike out on his own. We learn all about Congregation Coffee, Patrick’s new roasting business and coffee shop in Algiers Point. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

What is "real" Louisiana cooking? There's Creole, there's Cajun, and what’s the difference anyway? However you define it, for many of us, it's simply what your mama used to make that made you feel loved. On this week's show, we meet three Louisiana authors whose cookbooks help tell the authentic story of our state's distinctive cuisine. First, we hear from Eric Cook, the executive chef and owner of two distinguished New Orleans restaurants: Gris-Gris and St. John. Eric talks about the evolution of our traditional local fare – many examples of which can be found in his cookbook, Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine. Eric shares his secrets to success with dishes such as crab and shrimp stew, wild duck cassoulet, and even his mama's chicken and dumplings. Next, we welcome food writer and culinary historian Marcelle Bienvenu, who has reported on Cajun and Creole cooking for half a century. She shares her expert knowledge and talks about the fifth edition of her classic cookbook, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? Finally, for 125 years, Vaucresson Sausage Company has produced its beloved brand in New Orleans' Seventh Ward. In her debut cookbook, Creole Made Easy, co-owner Julie Vaucresson shares recipes and stories both from her illustrious family of origin and the family she married into. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In our increasingly fast-paced world, traditional foods and foodways often have trouble competing with speed and convenience. But never fear. All over the planet there are people working to save the superior flavor, nutrition, and cultural significance of heritage foods. On this week's show, we introduce you to some of our greatest heritage food warriors. We begin with Sarah Lohman, author of Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Foods, who recounts her adventure researching some of the country's rarest ingredients and the often extraordinary efforts to preserve them. Next, we meet a trio of folks from an organization at the center of this movement, Slow Food USA. They discuss their book, The Ark of Taste: Delicious and Distinctive Foods That Define the United States, which provides an in-depth look at some of the stories behind these disappearing flavors. Finally, we speak with classically trained chef and food anthropologist Casey Corn. She hosts Magnolia Network's Recipe Lost and Found, a show that helps families recover their long-lost recipes and the memories that go with them. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The fascinating food business is so multifaceted that it's always changing and evolving. On this week’s show, we look at how delicious new products make it from concept to dinner table and how one simple product turned ordinary folks into food celebrities. We begin with actor Harry Hamlin and his niece, veteran food-industry leader Renee Guilbault. They tell us how serving lunch to some famous TV housewives led them to host the AMC cooking show, In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin. We also learn about their innovative new enterprise, Harry's Famous Pasta Sauce. Next, Pepper Baumer of Crystal Hot Sauce and Ti Martin from Commander's Palace recount the Cinderella story of leftover pepper pulp's transformation into a hot new condiment – a smash of a mash called Crystal Pepper Pulp. Remember the chicken sandwich wars that pitted fast-food chains against each other? This year, the Louisiana Fried Chicken Sandwich Challenge set out to show that the best chicken sandwich in America was actually created in a home cook’s kitchen. We learn about the event and meet the national winner, Mindea Pituk. Finally, we chat with Samantha Stein and Dan Trahant of Reily Foods, the company behind Blue Plate Mayonnaise. We learn how they set out to create a new twist on two southern sauces – tartar and cocktail. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.