The South has a rich and varied food history, but too often it's reduced to stereotype. On this week's show, we explore the influence of the South on America’s culinary identity, and the central role African-American and immigrant cooks played in its formation.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we take a sonic journey through Appalachia to explore the history and legacy of its unique foodways.
We begin with Troy Ball, whose hobby as a moonshiner became a means of helping her family survive financial ruin. Troy’s memoir, Pure Heart, tells a very personal story of raising two special needs sons while becoming the first legal female moonshiner in Southern history.
Read MoreIt's July in New Orleans, which means two things: scorching temperatures and the hottest event in the spirits world -- Tales of the Cocktail! On this week's show, we look at the annual summertime conference that brings the international cocktail scene to the Crescent City.
Read MoreOn this week's show, just in time for the Fourth of July, we're celebrating the good old-fashioned American barbecue and the even older tradition of curing meat for preservation and eating.
We begin with Rien Fertel, author of The One True Barbecue, who demystifies the role of the pit master 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. But you may want to keep your distance, if those pigs catch on fire, it won't just be the fireworks exploding!
On this week’s show, we take an in-depth look at the unlikely conservationists who work along the Mississippi River watershed.
We begin with author Miriam Horn, whose book Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman profiles five people who sustain production while preserving their environment. Miriam joins us to talk about her discovery — that there’s much more that unites Americans than divides us.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we travel to Greenville, Mississippi for their annual Delta Hot Tamale Festival.
We begin by speaking with author Julia Reed, who participates as the festival’s official Pizzazz Consultant. Julia’s writing has graced the pages of Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue Magazine and Garden and Gun. She shares memories of the very first Hot Tamale Festival and the significance of the hot tamale in the Mississippi Delta.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we take an in-depth look the evolution of restaurant dining in the America and speak with the co-owner of one the nation's top restaurants.We begin by exploring two centuries of historical and cultural changes with acclaimed Yale historian Paul Freedman. His book Ten Restaurants That Changed America 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 hit the road to tour a variety of farms that do everything from growing fresh produce to raising colonies of honeybees. We begin with a tour of Mahaffey Farms in Princeton, Louisiana, where Evan McCommon has been converting his family's timber ranch into a biodiverse farm. The changes have been slow, but his resolve steady as the 1,100 acres change from a dense forest to an open savannah.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we’re traveling from Lafitte bayous to French Quarter kitchens for a look at Louisiana’s Catch and Cook Program. Under Catch and Cook, charter fishing groups can bring their catch to a participating restaurant, where the chef will prepare their fresh-caught fish to order.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we look at the role food television plays in the lives of several chefs here in New Orleans.
We begin with one of the youngest stars of food TV, Kaj Hecht, the recent winner of Chopped Junior. To get an understanding of how the 10-year-old New Orleans local came to be a contestant on the program, we invited Kaj and his father Michael into our studio.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the Jazz & Heritage Festival!
The amazing array of food is one of the many things that sets Jazz Fest apart from all other festivals. We start off by visiting with our own house band, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. They’ve just wrapped up a recording session for their newest album, Sketch. The band shares some of their Jazz Fest gig memories with us, along with the meals they enjoy off the stage.
Read MoreEvery year, households across Louisiana celebrate the eight-day festival of Passover. On this week's show, we’re bringing in the experts to help us explore Jewish food traditions old and new.
We speak with Joyce Goldstein, author of The New Mediterranean Jewish Table, about sephardic recipes of the Jewish diaspora. In compiling her book, Joyce set out to demystify the diverse traditions of Jewish cooking in the Mediterranean region.
On this week’s show, we’re looking at the role economics plays in running a flourishing food and beverage operation.
We begin with hospitality tech entrepreneur Damian Mogavero, who explains the importance of raw data in managing a restaurant. Damian has been able to use his dual passions for dining and data to create a system for “new garde restaurateurs,” a story now chronicled in his book, The Underground Culinary Tour.
Read MoreThis week, we’re bringing you a special April Fools edition of Louisiana Eats! One of the stories in this hour is a joke, but the rest are so wild, you may not be able to separate the fact from the fiction!
We begin with zoologist and author Bill Schutt, whose new book focuses on the most taboo of topics: cannibalism. Bill gives us the full story on a truly humanist cuisine.
Read MoreBehind every cocktail bar and liquor cabinet is a wealth of history and elaborate effort. On this week’s show, we take a look at some hidden elements of the cocktail industry.
Read MoreOn this week’s show, we’re looking at the role fishing plays in the lives of some of the greatest chefs in the South.
We begin with Susan Schadt, author of Reel Masters. Susan went fishing and caught portraits of eight renowned chefs who treasure the sport.
Read MoreIt’s Carnival time in Louisiana! On this week's show, we're talking Mardi Gras traditions with newcomers and locals alike.
To begin, we learn some surprises about the Krewe of Mid-City, a very local parading organization that is about to be graced by an expected king and queen. Originally from Minnesota, business moguls Duane and Susan Hoff are the owners of Fantesca Estate and Winery in Napa Valley. About to take their thrones, we visit with Duane and Susan to find out how they came to reign over this community-focused krewe.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we indulge our sweet tooth with the help of several influential dessert makers.
We begin with Anne Byrn, also known as "The Cake Mix Doctor," whose book American Cake takes readers back to the origins of baking in America. From birthday to wedding cake, Anne has the history behind each delicious layer.
Read MoreIt takes more than raw talent to become a successful chef. On this week’s show, we speak with culinary masters about the importance of mentorship in and out of the kitchen.
Read MoreOn this week's show, we’re getting an aromatic education in herbs and spices.
First, we speak with Lior Lev Sercarz, a chef, spice blender, and owner of La Boîte in New York City. Lior discusses his career's trajectory from sergeant of the Israeli army to spice master, and explains why he believes both home cooks and professional chefs will benefit from delving into spices.
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