New Orleans Built to Host: Savannah Bananas, Food Culture & French Connections | Episode 7

This week, Mark Romig is joined by an outstanding lineup: Stephanie Turner of New Orleans & Company, Chef Shawn “Pooch” Rivera of LOVE NOLA TV, Savannah Bananas catcher Bryce Grizzaffi, and Consul General of France Rodolphe Sambou.If you love New Orleans, hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and follow along for weekly conversations celebrating the people, traditions, food, music, and ideas that make this city unlike anywhere else.In this episode:5-Minutes With Stephanie Turner (Presented by New Orleans & Company) Stephanie Turner, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Strategies at New Orleans & Company, explains why conventions and meetings are one of the most important foundations of the New Orleans economy. While many people think of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and major sporting events, Stephanie shares why the other 300-plus days matter just as much. She talks about booking business years into the future, the power of New Orleans’ “Built to Host” message, and why New Orleans was recently ranked among the top convention cities in the country. She also explains how walkability, hospitality, hotel partnerships, and major events like the Super Bowl all help position New Orleans as one of America’s great host cities.On The Table with Chef Shawn “Pooch” Rivera (Presented by Blue Runner) This week, we pull one of our own from behind the production table into the guest chair. Chef Pooch Rivera talks about his journey from Mid-City and old Metairie to the food world, his work on the globally popular Walk-In Talk podcast, and the launch of the new Love To Eat New Orleans podcast under the LOVE NOLA TV umbrella. Pooch shares his passion for telling the food story of New Orleans from the inside out, not just through celebrity chefs but through home cooks, bartenders, dishwashers, waiters, and everyone who keeps the hospitality engine running. Move The Chains with Bryce Grizzaffi Savannah Bananas catcher and Morgan City native Bryce Grizzaffi joins the show ahead of Banana Ball coming to the Caesars Superdome. Bryce talks about growing up in South Louisiana, playing at Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar, and the wild way he got discovered by the Bananas through Instagram.  Bryce also talks about Louisiana food, the energy he expects from New Orleans fans, and why Banana Ball is built for entertainment.Featured Guest: Rodolphe Sambou Consul General of the French Republic, Rodolphe Sambou, joins Mark for a fascinating conversation about the enduring relationship between France and Louisiana. He discusses the historic depth of those ties, the work of the French consulate, French immersion education, tourism, trade, culture, and why Louisiana holds such a unique place in France’s view of the United States. He also shares French investment in Louisiana, his family’s experience living here, and the possibility of the Saints playing in Paris. Sponsors and Partners  Blue Runner Foods  New Orleans & Company  The Historic New Orleans Collection  WWOZ  Visit The Northshore  Production Krewe  Kaisha "Kage" Age  Kagan Taylor Video Editor / Producer  Kal Landry Executive Producers  Glenn Haggerty  Keith HaggertyThe Mark Romig Show is produced by LOVE NOLA TV, the official tourism and visitor information channel of New Orleans, seen in thousands of downtown hotel rooms and locally across all major digital platforms.🎧 Subscribe to The Mark Romig Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube 📺 Watch full episodes and clips on the LOVE NOLA TV YouTube channel 📍 Filmed in New Orleans, LouisianaNew episodes weekly. For the love of New Orleans.