It’s Halloween, and there’s no place better in the world to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve than in the the ghost laden state of Louisiana!
To get you in the spirit, on this week’s show, we tour the cities of the dead, learning tombside all about our dearly departed culinary legends from Sally Asher, author of Stories From the Saint Louis Cemetaries of New Orleans.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we’re taking a tour of the iconic restaurants that have made a transformative impact on American cuisine.
We begin with acclaimed Yale history professor Paul Freedman, who explores two centuries of historical and cultural changes in his book Ten Restaurants That Changed America. Paul's list weaves together culinary and social history, from the innovators of roadside dining to the vanguards of haute cuisine.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we're up at the crack at dawn to examine what many consider to be the most important meal of the day: breakfast.
First, we speak with John Currence, the James Beard Award-winning chef who has earned the title of "Big Bad Chef" at his revered restaurant, Big Bad Breakfast. John tells us tall tales from his breakfast joint in Oxford, Mississippi.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we're looking at farming across the state and the Americas.
We begin on the West Coast, with a tour of Gourmet Mushrooms in Sonoma County, California, where they are mimicking natural growing conditions to cultivate specialty mushrooms indoors. This farm harvests eight different varieties of organic mushrooms for food wholesalers, gourmet grocers, and restaurants all across America.
Read MoreTerry Flettrich Rohe, a New Orleans broadcast pioneer and beloved host of WDSU's "Mrs. Muffin's Birthday Party" passed away on Thursday. In addition to co-creating and hosting the children's show in the 1950s, Rohe was producer and host of the network's popular "Midday" show.
Read MorePerhaps nothing tells the story of a kitchen better than the objects that live in it. On this week’s show, we’re bringing in a panel of experts for an education on culinary antiques and collectibles.
We begin with author and 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 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.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we celebrate Commander's Palace and its visionary matriarch Ella Brennan, whose highly-anticipated memoir is coming out next week.
First, we speak with Ella’s daughter and co-author, Ti Adelaide Martin. Born into her family’s restaurant dynasty, Ti knows all too well her mother’s revered place both in the food industry and in New Orleans history. Aware of the fascination with her mother’s life story, Ti wrote down a number of stories about Ella over the years that she eventually incorporated into the memoir.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we explore the thriving craft beer scene, which takes us from Louisiana to Europe and many places in between.
Locally, the undisputed leader of the craft beer revolution is Polly Watts, owner of the Avenue Pub. We have a conversation with Polly and her team, who recently returned from work outing of a lifetime—a trip to Belgium—where they got the opportunity to meet several of the brewers whose special beers grace their extensive menu.
On this week’s show, we’re taking a look at the coffee and tea scene across Louisiana.
We begin with 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 many are calling the third wave coffee movement.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we're celebrating the tricentennial of Natchez, Mississippi. We'll visit our neighbors across the river and learn how residents are combining history and innovation to make Natchez a singular destination.
Founded in 1716, the river city is home to an impressive array of antebellum mansions and national landmarks. We settle in at one of these estates, the Dunleith Historic Inn, where we’re greeted by historian Terry Trovato, who gives us a tour of the storied mansion.
Read MoreIt's that magical time of year in New Orleans when cocktailians and spirits experts from around the world come together in the blazing heat for the world's pre-eminent cocktail festival, Tales of the Cocktail. On this week's show, we're giving you an insider's view into the Crescent City’s most spirited gathering.
We begin with Kate Gerwin, the first American and first woman to win the Bols Around The World championship in bartending. Kate discusses her career owning and operating award-winning establishments, and the story behind Girls With Bols, her game changing mentorship program for female bartenders.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we’re inviting you to a midsummer barbecue for the ages! We’re traveling through country pithouses and urban kitchens in search of the best whole hog barbecue.
We begin with Rien Fertel, author of The One True Barbecue, who demystifies the role of the pitmaster in the tradition of whole hog barbecue in Tennessee and the Eastern Carolinas.Rien’s exhaustive research led him to some of the smokiest and most storied barbecue shacks in America.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we set out to prove that oysters can — and should — be enjoyed year-round. We’re going behind the scenes to get a better understanding of how those salty bivalves go from farm to table.
We begin with Tolar Nolley, founder of the Oyster Company of Virginia, who’s working to mitigate the loss of Chesapeake Bay’s indigenous oysters. Tolar teach us about his conservation programs and their impacts on the industry.
Read MoreThe Louisiana restaurant scene has never been hotter. On this week's show, we're touring some special eateries that should be on your radar.
We begin with best buds Aaron Sánchez and John Besh, who reveal the genesis of their collaboration Johnny Sánchez, a restaurant that combines their names and individual culinary sensibilities.
Read MoreIn this special edition of Louisiana Eats, we celebrate the 151st anniversary of Juneteenth — the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Host Poppy Tooker and Dr. Ibrahima Seck at Allées Gwendolyn Midlo Hall — a memorial dedicated to all the slaves who lived in Louisiana. Names and quotes are engraved on 216 granites slabs mounted on 18 walls.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we take a journey in sound with two radio luminaries, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, also known as The Kitchen Sisters.
Davia and Nikki visit our kitchen at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum to discuss their amazing trajectory on NPR as well as how they came to uncover Hidden Kitchens, their duPont-Columbia Award-winning series.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we're traveling to three continents for a fresh look at business innovation.
We begin here in the U.S. with Cheryl Bachelder, President and CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and author of Dare To Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others. Cheryl's vision of servant leadership helped to create an amazing turnaround in the company’s success.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we journey across the state to learn about the flourishing flavors of Latin American cuisine in Louisiana.
We begin with Chef Hans Limburg of Mizado Cocina, who explains the evolution of Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of ingredients and food traditions in Japan and Peru.
Read MoreIt's really true what they say: You are what you eat — and drink! On this week's show, we call in the experts to learn about the effects of our eating and drinking habits on the human mind, body and spirit.
To begin, we speak with our resident health and food policy expert, senior editor for The Atlantic, Corby Kummer. Corby's recent investigative reporting reveals that eating healthy fat while eliminating sugar and simple carbs could be a long-term solution to the never-ending debate about nutrition and weight control
Read MoreAs the diplomatic thaw between the United States and Cuba continues, new opportunities for Americans to visit Cuba are opening all kinds of doors. In an incredible stroke of luck, Louisiana Eats! host Poppy Tooker had the opportunity to join the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on their landmark visit to Cuba for the Havana Jazz Festival. On this week's show, Poppy shares an audio travelogue from her week-long trip in the Rome of the Caribbean.
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