Beyond the Kitchen

This week, we are talking with chef EJ Lagasse, who recently took over the helm at the legendary flagship restaurant Emeril’s and is forging his own path, following in the footsteps of his famous father chef and New Orleans icon Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Edgar Chase, IV, also known as “Dook” carries the legacy of his grandmother chef Leah Chase as the owner of Chase Hospitality Group and Chase Concessions, proprietor of Leah’s Kitchen and Dook’s Burgers, as well as Executive Chef and operator of his family’s restaurant, the legendary Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. Most recently he joined Food Network’s “Family Recipe Showdown” as co-host and judge along with film star Octavia Spencer.

New Orleans loves a great party, and for many, celebrations can happen no place else than Commander's Palace. Generations have shared birthday parties, anniversaries, engagements, graduations, as well as simply celebrating the everyday delight of sharing a great meal with friends and family. This week, we talk to the two women behind the blue walls that help make those moments so special.

Chef Ashwin Vilkhu, known to many for his work at the James Beard “Best Chef: South” (along with his father) Saffron, has a new venture, The Kingsway, a contemporary Asian fine dining restaurant in Uptown New Orleans. It’s a culinary mélange of flavors and traditions that we are excited to explore.

This week’s guest is chef Nathan Barfield with Hot Stuff. Barfield chats with editor Ashley McLellan about what exactly is pan-Southern cuisine, the rise of plate lunch and tackling the Maple Street bar happy hour scene. 

Sophina Uong, chef owner of Mister Mao on Tchoupitoulas Street, chats with us about collaborating with fellow chefs, using the freshest ingredients, the meaning of tropical roadhouse, and what it was like to be a contestant on Food Networks’ "Chopped."

Chicken's Kitchen in Gretna has become a favorite in the community over the last few years and at the helm is Marlon Chukumerije. This week, Marlon talks about the origin of Chicken's Kitchen, why giving back to the community is important and how sometimes your kids can be your harshest critics.

The first episode of season 2 is Chef Edgar Caro. Caro is a chef and restauranteur at the head of restaurants Baru, Basin, Brasa and Zocalo – located all throughout the Crescent City. This week, Caro talks about where his passion for food and cooking comes from, along with some of his favorites to eat and cook, the restaurant scene in Old Metairie and more.

TV personality, writer, philanthropist and Masterchef Aarón Sánchez sits down with New Orleans Magazine editor Ashley McLellan and Digital Editor Kelly Massicot to discuss paying it forward, supporting the culinary community, classic local eats and what Gordan Ramsey is really like in the kitchen.

In this episode, Colleen Quarls and Liz Hollinger, co-chefs at Molly’s Rise and Shine, sit down with New Orleans Magazine editor Ashley McLellan to talk about what it’s like to be nominated for a James Beard Award, pizza delivery, breakfast sandwiches and much more.

Miss Shirley Lee, chef of her namesake restaurant, Miss Shirley’s on Magazine Street, joins the podcast along with her daughter and restaurant partner Carling. Along with New Orleans Magazine editor Ashley McLellan, the three discuss the role of community and the restaurant industry in New Orleans, the joys of having good neighbors, Cantonese cuisine and how NOT to retire.

Executive chef Alfredo Nogeira is the mastermind behind the menus at the award-winning Cure, Cane & Table and Val’s on Freret Street. Chef Fredo sits down with New Orleans Magazine editor Ashley McLellan to talk about the New Orleans culinary community, farmers markets and seasonal finds, and why the Ritz cracker is superior to the saltine.

Chef Eric Cook is the mastermind behind the lower garden district restaurants Gris Gris and Gris Gris To Go Go, Saint John in the French Quarter and, soon a new eatery, Julia Brown in the Bywater. Chef Cook joins New Orleans Magazine editor Ashley McLellan to chat about the importance of eating local in the summer, Creole cooking, and what’s fresh at his restaurants. Did someone say “frozen French 75 to go?”