Located at the opposite ends of the country, the states of Louisiana and Maine appear to share little in common at first glance. But take a closer look, and you'll see two places that share a passion for their distinct seafood culture – each home to a galaxy of culinary rockstars who elevate their local cuisine. On this week's show, Louisiana Eats takes you with us as we travel to Maine to explore the food scene in the Pine Tree State. We begin with Lady Oyster Tours and Tastings in Phippsburg, on the Casco Bay Peninsula. Owner and operator Virginia Shaffer is Maine's first "oyster sommelier," or certified oyster expert under the Oyster Master Guild. Throughout the year, Virginia and her company educate tourists on the local oyster industry, offering tastings and boat tours of oyster farming operations. She tells us about Maine's rapidly growing oyster industry, before Captain Joe Jerome steers us to get a first-hand look at an oyster farm. Then, we travel up the coast to meet Melissa Kelly, the first two-time recipient of the James Beard award for Best Chef Northeast. Melissa tells us about her Rockland farm-to-table restaurant, Primo and her remarkable life in food. We also meet farm manager Abigail Gallagher, who gives us a tour of the multi-acre farm surrounding the restaurant. Next, we visit the small town of Bath to dine in a restaurant overlooking the Kennebec River called OystHERS Raw Bar and Bubby. The seasonal raw bar is owned by sisters Sadia and Lauren Crosby, both lobstermen's daughters from nearby Georgetown Island. Sadia owns a sea farm, where the house oysters are produced. Lauren tells us the story behind OystHERS, which serves up fresh bivalves from local female-owned and family-owned farms. And who should we run into there, but Susan Spicer! The New Orleans chef tells us what she's cooking while cruising up the Atlantic coast. We end our trip at Browne Trading Market, a magical food and drink emporium in Portland. Since 1991, Browne Trading Company has been the supplier of seafood, caviar, and other delicacies to an exclusive restaurant chef customer base. Among our discoveries there were percebes – also known as gooseneck or turtle-claw barnacles – harvested on the Iberian Peninsula and exclusively available from Browne Trading. Specialty foods manager Michael Rigo explains why the job of harvesting these edible crustaceans is not for the faint of heart. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In a city known for culinary excellence, Brennan's Restaurant stands out as a cornerstone of New Orleans cuisine. Founded in 1946 by Owen Brennan, the restaurant was elevated to international fame by his sister, the visionary Ella Brennan. Today, it's operated by Ralph Brennan, who continues the family legacy. On this week's show, we celebrate 80 years of Brennan's in the Big Easy. The birthplace of Bananas Foster (the famous flaming dessert reaches its 75th anniversary this year) is known not only for its masterful French Creole dishes but also for its joyful, vibrant atmosphere. There's perhaps no man who embodies that high-spirited style and flair than Brennan's General Manager Christian Pendleton. We sit down with Christian to learn what it takes to control the chaos of such a large operation, while keeping the party going in the dining room. Then, we meet Brennan's Executive Chef Kris Padalino. When Kris was studying math and chemistry at Cal State Fullerton, she envisioned a life in the medical field, not one in a commercial kitchen. Once she committed to a culinary career, the Florida-native embarked on cross-country journey that would eventually crown her as Brennan's first female executive chef in eight decades. Kris joins us in the studio to discuss her history-making rise to success in Brennan's kitchen. Finally, we get an inside look into the family business. We speak with Ralph Brennan and his two daughters, Kathryn Brennan and Kristen Brennan Leonard. While Kathryn has been a part of Ralph's team for over a decade, Kristen is the newest addition – just coming on board in January. The family trio discusses a wide range of subjects, including what its like for all of them to be part of a New Orleans dining dynasty. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On this week's show, we meet social media stars who have successfully gone from viral sensations to published authors. We begin with Nashville-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, Hannah Dasher. Hannah hosts a funny, country music-infused cooking series on TikTok called "Stand By Your Pan." It has become so popular that she just published a cookbook of the same name. Hannah joins us with some tips on cooking Southern staples. Then, we sit down with New Orleans chef Toya Boudy, who found fame on YouTube and cooking competition shows. Toya tells us stories featured in her deeply personal and unique cookbook, Cooking for the Culture. Finally, we chat with the affable Ralph Williams, better known as Ralph the Baker. The local cook and social media star has parlayed his five million followers into a line of seasonings and a cookbook entitled, Ralph The Baker New Orleans Recipes. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

In 1941, Emily and Dooky Chase Sr. opened Dooky Chase Restaurant, a barroom and sandwich shop on Orleans Avenue in New Orleans. Five years later, a young girl from Madisonville, Louisiana married Emily and Dooky's son, big band leader Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr. Under Leah's leadership, that simple shop grew into one of the first African-American fine dining restaurants in the country – the place where Leah Chase established herself as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine." Since her passing in 2019, Leah's legacy lies in the hands of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On this week's show, Louisiana Eats sits down members of the fourth and fifth generations – the crew Leah always referred to as "the grands" – to reflect on their family’s history and share what they’re up to today. We speak with her grandchildren Tracie Haydel Griffin, who runs the front of the house; bar manager Eve Marie Haydel; and Edgar "Dooky" Chase IV, who oversees the restaurant's kitchen. Also joining us is Dooky Chase's newest chef, Leah's great-granddaughter Zoe Chase. We not only hear those young, ambitious voices, but we bring you material that we have never previously aired from our archives, featuring the late, great Leah Chase herself. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

On this week's show, we virtually wander the hollers and ridges of Appalachia and beyond, uncovering a wild pantry surrounding us. We begin with chef, musician, and writer Susi Gott Séguret, whose passion for her native Appalachia is only matched by her love of food. Born and raised in western North Carolina, Susi spent 20 years in Europe, spreading Appalachian music and tastes while honing her culinary chops at world-famous institutions like the Cordon Bleu. Today, Susi leads foraging expeditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains and teaches others how to blend the elegance of French cuisine with the simplicity of mountain ingredients. She's also written books that explore her experiences with foraging and Appalachian foodways, including Cooking with Truffles and Appalachian Appetite: Recipes from the Heart of America. Then, we get a more in-depth look at the life of a forager by bringing you a favorite interview from the Louisiana Eats archives. We meet Danlyn Brennan, whose lifelong passion for wild craft is complicated by a desire to keep her methods and locations hidden. We also get a visit from Dr. Erika Siegel who offers some tips on how to deal with an upset stomach. Finally, we speak with author Ronni Lundy, author of the James Beard Award-winning book, Victuals: An Appalachian Journey. Ronni breaks down through some of the myths surrounding the isolated region. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Forget the myth! No matter what month it is – whether it's spelled with an "R" or not – there is nothing quite like a Louisiana oyster. On this week's show, we do a deep dive on that beautiful bivalve that has been embedded in our state's culture and economy for centuries. First, we hear from fifth-generation oysterman, Al Sunseri. If you've ever enjoyed an oyster in New Orleans, then odds are good that it came from Al's family business, P&J Oyster Company. Al recounts the history of the oyster processor and distributor that has fed the city its favorite shellfish since 1876. Then, we stop into a French Quarter antique shop to learn about a Victorian-era invention designed to serve up oysters in style. Mark McBride of Moss Antiques tells us about oyster plates – luxurious dishware which today are highly sought-after collector's items. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.