Louisiana Eats Bids Adieu To 2016

On this week’s show, we bid farewell to 2016 and raise a toast to the New Year by looking back at legends and looking forward to new beginnings. 

First, we celebrate the life and legacy of Edgar “Dooky” Chase, who passed away this year at the age of 88. Leah Chase shares stories from their 70 years of marriage, an era marked by the civil rights movement and other transformative moments at their Treme establishment. 

Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr with Chef Leah Chase

Then, we check in with Cody and Samantha Carroll, the chef-owners of Hot Tails and Sac-a-Lait restaurants. The Carrolls recently found themselves in a particularly challenging place, even for a Cajun chef – Japan! Cody and Samantha describe the many obstacles they faced preparing gumbo for conventioneers in Tokyo.  

We also visit Michael Gulotta at Mopho in Mid-City, as he prepares for his weekly whole hog celebration. Out on the restaurant’s patio is a huge fire pit where Michael roasts a whole hog on a spit, suspended over an open flame. We join him at the smoky pit and in the kitchen to see just how he goes the whole hog.

Finally, we raise a glass with champagne expert and master sommelier Molly Wismeier. Molly illuminates how champagne works its bubbly magic on any and all special occasions.

We're ringing in the New Year on this week's Louisiana Eats!