Louisiana Eats

Poppy Tooker
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  • Documentary
  • Every two months

Louisiana Eats! is a radio show for people who cook and people who love to eat well—all with a Louisiana point of view and Poppy’s distinctive Louisiana voice. In each program listeners join Poppy as she meets people who produce, cook, and eat the foods we enjoy and treasure — exploring kitchens and stores, farms and waterways where favorite foods are produced and prepared. And because Louisianans love all kinds of food, Poppy won’t limit herself to shrimp creole and hot sauce!

  1. 3 days ago

    Louisiana Eats: Kitchen Wisdom

    Here in Louisiana, intergenerational cooking is a way of life. Who doesn't treasure their great grandmother's gumbo recipe or still use their mom's roasting pan? This week, we talk with two women of East Asian heritage whose families and cultures share that motherly love expressed through food. Local-girl-made-good, Chef Nini Nguyen, grew up among the large Vietnamese population in New Orleans and shot to national prominence on "Top Chef." Nini joins us to talk about her rise to fame, her family, and her publication, "Đặc Biệt: An Extra Special Vietnamese Cookbook," which was named cookbook of the year by NPR. Then, we hear from Sarah Ahn, the social media manager for America's Test Kitchen and creator of Ahnest Kitchen, the website on which she recounts stories of her life and those of her Korean immigrant parents. Sarah's also the author of, "Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes." She tells us about her bestselling cookbook, which is also part family memoir and part cultural history. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

  2. 25 Jul

    Louisiana Eats: French Food Culture

    French culture has always influenced our Louisiana traditions, especially when it comes to food. This week, Louisiana Eats explores that culture – from Parisians' love of chocolate to French porcelain used by princes, dukes, and kings at Versailles. We begin with author Aleksandra Crapanzano. Following the success of her book, Gâteau, she's back to talk about her newest volume, Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights. The book explores France's love affair with chocolate, along with over 100 recipes. Aleksandra also recounts the fascinating history of chocolate in France. Then, we visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, where curator Mel Buchanan gives us a tour of their current exhibit, Sèvres Magnifique, featuring 18th century ceramics produced by France's royal porcelain factory at Sèvres. The collection came as a bequest from New Orleans collector Thomas B. Lemann and features tea sets, plates, and bowls that epitomized the material extravagance of the French aristocracy at Versailles. Finally, we speak with Makenna Held, author of Mostly French: Recipes from a Kitchen in Provence, which is both a cookbook and a chronicle of life in the French countryside, where she runs an innovative cooking school at Julia Child's former home. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

    Louisiana Eats: French Food Culture

  3. 18 Jul

    Louisiana Eats: Celebrating International Cocktail Culture

    This week, New Orleans once again welcomes Tales of the Cocktail, an annual gathering of cocktail and spirits industry professionals. In honor of their arrival, we take a look at both a new player in the bar game and an old story about how a traditional favorite made its way into your glass. First, cocktail culture is making a notable splash throughout the African continent. We sit down with Mark Talbot Holmes, co-founder of Ajabu, a twice-yearly festival in Cape Town, South Africa, which highlights all aspects of this burgeoning business. Then, we hear from two-time James Beard Award winner Ted Genoways, author of Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico. Ted tells the real story behind the rise of Mexico's tequila industry – a tale that involves building railroads, a world's fair, the Mexican Revolution, and even American Prohibition. At the center of the story is Jose Cuervo, who isn't just a brand, but a real person born in Mexico's Tequila Valley in the late 19th century. His investment, innovation, and some clever maneuverings ensured the industry's survival and eventual flourishing success. Surprisingly, Ted's book is the first biography written on the legendary tequila-maker. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

  4. 11 Jul

    Louisiana Eats: Magnificent Meals Of Conspicuous Consumption

    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.

  5. 4 Jul

    Louisiana Eats: New Orleans' Culinary Gumbo

    From French colonists who settled here 300 years ago to Vietnamese immigrants arriving in the 1970s, newcomers to the Crescent City have made significant contributions to the evolution of New Orleans cooking. On this week's show, we celebrate the ways immigrants continue to shape the city's culinary identity. We begin with Arvinder Vilkhu and his son Ashwin, who recount the story of their restaurant, Saffron Nola. Here, diners enjoy the Vilkhu family's personal blend of Indian and Creole flavors that earned a Best New Restaurant nomination by the James Beard Foundation just months after opening. Then, we hear from Jimena Urrutia and Marcelo Garcia, the talented husband-and-wife team behind one of the city's most innovative eateries: Empanola. Combining their South American heritage with local flavors, they have transformed traditional empanadas into authentic tastes of Louisiana and beyond. Finally, Fanta Tambajang shares her journey from her home in Gambia to her French Quarter restaurant Bennachin. You may already know and love her classic jama jama and fried plantains from the Jazz Fest where Fanta has been a sensation for decades. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

    Louisiana Eats: New Orleans' Culinary Gumbo

  6. 27 Jun

    Louisiana Eats: Adolfo Garcia And The Freret Street Renaissance

    In Uptown New Orleans, Freret Street is one of the city's most vibrant corridors – a favorite neighborhood artery for food and nightlife. But this wasn't always the case. Following decades of decline, Freret Street underwent a remarkable revitalization after Hurricane Katrina, becoming a symbol of the city's post-storm rebirth. A leading pioneer this culinary comeback is Chef Adolfo Garcia, whose Freret Street restaurants, High Hat Café and Ancora, became dining destinations in the early 2010s. On this week's show, we look at the career of the legendary chef and explore Freret Street – then and now. We begin with Chef Adolfo, who was born and raised in suburban New Orleans, the son of Panamanian parents. Adolfo has spent the last 40 years creating interesting and innovative restaurants that have introduced New Orleanians to flavors from around the world. He's served cuisines such as Nuevo Latin, Italian, Southern comfort, Neapolitan, and Argentine – always insisting on authenticity and excellence. Adolfo's eateries have included RioMar, Primitivo, and La Boca Steakhouse. Then, we hear from the next generation. Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. and his wife and business partner Sophia Petrou Garcia are building their own empire on Freret Street with Chi Chi's Chicken & Beer and their wood-fired Spanish restaurant, Dolfy's. Both were raised in the business. While Adolfo Jr. was polishing silverware at RioMar, Sophia was helping serve breakfast and lunch at her family's Lakefront restaurant, Russell's Marina Grill. The couple talk about their journey back home after a decade working in the New York culinary scene and beyond. Finally, Fredo Nogueira and Ryan Iriarte discuss carrying on the legacy of the High Hat Café. The newest co-owners of the Freret Street mainstay talk about Chef Adolfo's mentorship and fill us in on their latest endeavor on Freret, Cuban restaurant Café Conmigo. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

  7. 20 Jun

    Louisiana Eats: A Toast To The Vine

    Salvador Dalí once said, "A real connoisseur does not drink wine but tastes of its secrets." On this week's show, we sit down with wine experts and wine vintners to unlock those secrets and better understand the world of fermented grapes. And a bonus – they're all female! We begin with sommelier Kat Kyathfield. Along with her wife and partner Amber Allison, Kat runs Hooligan Juice Club, an underground wine club and pop-up series in New Orleans where members receive a bottle each month. All the wines are sustainably grown, independently made and hand-picked by Kat herself. Then, we speak with Braithe Gill, Corporate Beverage Director for the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group. Braithe was recently named a James Beard 2026 semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. Braithe talks about her role in rebuilding Brennan's celebrated cellar, which resulted in restaurant reclaiming the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award. Finally, we celebrate 40 years of the American Harvest Workshop, an annual confab hosted by iconic winery Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley. We bring you two highlights from our 2014 experience there: the day we spent hand-harvesting grapes and an oral history from Dolores Cakebread, one of the matriarchs of California's modern wine industry. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

  8. 12 Jun

    Steeped, Pressed & Poured

    On this week's show, we trace the rich history and flavors of coffee and tea in Louisiana and beyond. Historian RL Reeves Jr. tells us about the historical origins of Luzianne, a New Orleans purveyor of tea and coffee since 1902. Then, we head to The English Tea Room & Eatery in Covington, where Jan and Tim Lantrip host us for a traditional afternoon tea. Finally, Suzanne Stone and David Feldman share what they learned while researching their book, New Orleans Coffee: A Rich History.

    Steeped, Pressed & Poured
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About

Louisiana Eats! is a radio show for people who cook and people who love to eat well—all with a Louisiana point of view and Poppy’s distinctive Louisiana voice. In each program listeners join Poppy as she meets people who produce, cook, and eat the foods we enjoy and treasure — exploring kitchens and stores, farms and waterways where favorite foods are produced and prepared. And because Louisianans love all kinds of food, Poppy won’t limit herself to shrimp creole and hot sauce!

Information

  • Creator
    Poppy Tooker
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    288
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Poppy Tooker
  • Show Website
    Louisiana Eats

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