In Memoriam 2018: Culinary Legends Lost
The legendary Ella Brennan in the kitchen with Emeril Lagasse
On this week’s show, we look back on the lives of some extraordinary people we lost in 2018. We begin by revisiting our 2011 conversation with the late, great Anthony Bourdain. We had the opportunity to speak with Anthony after he was hired as a scriptwriter for the HBO series, Treme. Seven years later, we were absolutely devastated when we heard of Anthony’s suicide and remembered that long ago conversation.
We also hear from Anthony’s friend and associate, Kat Kinsman, author of Hi, Anxiety: Life With A Bad Case Of Nerves. She joined us for a frank and honest conversation about anxiety and depression. Kat has created an online forum for the industry, Chefs With Issues, that today is both a website and an active closed group on Facebook. Since Anthony Bourdain's tragic death, Kat has been traveling the country, creating safe spaces for open, raw, and thoughtful conversations about the industry's mental health and substance abuse issues.
Next, we remember the late French chef Rene Bajeux, who shared his culinary heritage with New Orleans for more than 20 years. Back in 2011 when Bastille Day rolled around, there was no better way to celebrate than to sit down with Rene for a taste of how he celebrates the holiday.
On May 31, 2018, legendary restaurateur Ella Brennan passed away in her Garden District home surrounded by loving family. For over seven decades, the matriarch of the Brennan clan influenced and elevated American hospitality like no other. In the spring of 2015, Ella welcomed us into her home for a conversation about her life and thoughts on the restaurant industry.
Finally, we couldn’t end this year’s tribute show without remembering some, sweet furry guests — a herd of alpacas — who made an appearance earlier this year on our Pet Show. No one was more horrified than the Louisiana Eats crew when we woke up on July 14 to learn about the escape of Valerio the jaguar and the subsequent deaths of the alpacas. We’ll always remember the family of alpacas who made a guest appearance with us this year.
Join us as we say goodbye to old friends and bid adieu to 2018!