What is "real" Louisiana cooking? There's Creole, there's Cajun, and what’s the difference anyway? However you define it, for many of us, it's simply what your mama used to make that made you feel loved. On this week's show, we meet three Louisiana authors whose cookbooks help tell the authentic story of our state's distinctive cuisine. First, we hear from Eric Cook, the executive chef and owner of two distinguished New Orleans restaurants: Gris-Gris and St. John. Eric talks about the evolution of our traditional local fare – many examples of which can be found in his cookbook, Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine. Eric shares his secrets to success with dishes such as crab and shrimp stew, wild duck cassoulet, and even his mama's chicken and dumplings. Next, we welcome food writer and culinary historian Marcelle Bienvenu, who has reported on Cajun and Creole cooking for half a century. She shares her expert knowledge and talks about the fifth edition of her classic cookbook, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? Finally, for 125 years, Vaucresson Sausage Company has produced its beloved brand in New Orleans' Seventh Ward. In her debut cookbook, Creole Made Easy, co-owner Julie Vaucresson shares recipes and stories both from her illustrious family of origin and the family she married into. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

We're creeping closer to Halloween, and Louisiana Eats is spoiling for a fright! We're back with the second episode of our 15th anniversary scare-a-thon, bringing you tales of haunted New Orleans locales and a businesswoman in the French Quarter who's just batty for vampires. We begin with Marita Crandle, author and owner of the Vampire Café and Vampire Apothecary Restaurant & Bar in the Vieux Carré. Marita tells us how she went from owning a little gift shop to building a hospitality empire around those bloodsucking creatures of the night. She explains how her blood bag cocktails became the newest trend in cocktails and why it was so important to make a non-alcoholic version for the kids. Then, we pry into our vaults to bring you our ghost tour of Courtyard Brewery, which is operating out of an old New Orleans funeral home. We not only hear stories of hauntings from the brewery's staff, but we encounter a possible poltergeist ourselves! And finally, another favorite Louisiana Eats moment that will never die: our conversation with our resident medium, Debbie Duvall, who put me in touch with Tujague Restaurant's famous cross-dressing ghost, ⁠Julian Eltinge. But not before Julian gave Debbie the fright of her life! For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

While Mardi Gras and Thanksgiving are all fine and good, here at Louisiana Eats, our very favorite holiday has always been Halloween! Every October since the show's debut in 2010, we've gotten into the spooky spirit by bringing you stories of the silly, the supernatural, and the downright scary! This week and next, we continue our crystal anniversary celebration by bringing you two special Halloween episodes featuring moments old and new from the past 15 years. We begin with Chef Greg Picolo, whom we spoke with for our very first Halloween show back in 2010 and then again in 2019. It seems like no matter where Greg goes, paranormal activity keeps following him! Or is it just that nowhere in New Orleans is safe from hauntings? Greg's tale leads us to one Mid-City restaurant whose specters' hijinks have remained consistent through three different owners. Celeste Bergeron McCann and Chef Greg of Vessel's two former iterations⁠ – Christian's and Redemption, respectively – tell us about their paranormal experiences with the building's more malevolent spirits. Next, we delve further into the supernatural with Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman, who has been practicing Vodou in the Crescent City since 1977. She tells us about the role food plays in ceremonial Haitian Vodou and describes the Day of the Dead / Fèt Gede celebration she leads in the New Orleans Healing Center every November 1st. We also go into her botanica to see some of the unusual elements the Vodou priestess brings into play. Then, New Orleans writer Scott Gold recommends some spill-chilling dishes to serve at your Halloween party – a menu that, when first broadcast in 2014, gave rise to a true Emily Litella moment. Finally, we learn the art of obituary-writing from the emissary of eternal rest, John Pope. For nearly 50 years, John has marked the deaths of countless New Orleanians with his well-researched and poignant obituaries. In 2015, he compiled an anthology of 123 of his most memorable obits into his classic volume, "Getting Off at Elysian Fields," which was recently released in paperback. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

The weather is cooling down here in Louisiana, which means outdoor events are heating up across our state. Out on the Cajun Prairie, Le Grand Hoorah, a festival dedicated to the music, food, and culture of the people of Acadiana, is coming up November 1st. The annual event turns 10 this year – and to celebrate, Louisiana Eats brings you highlights from our road trip to attend Le Grand Hoorah in 2017. We begin in downtown Mamou, where our gracious host Valerie Cahill gives us a grand welcome at the historic Hotel Cazan. After grabbing breakfast down the road at the charming Krazy Cajun Cafe, we cross the street to visit Mamou's world-famous dancing and drinking destination, Fred's Lounge. Over spicy Bloody Marys and cheap beer, Camille Fonteneau talks to us about the important role the local AM radio station KVPI has played in the community and in her life. On our way to La Grand Hoorah, we learn why Ville Platte holds the title of "Smoked Meat Capital of the World." We make a pit stop at Paul's Meat Market and Grocery, where many locals and out-of-towners purchase their meat. We then meet Kermit Miller, the man behind "the barbecue sauce with a Cajun accent," Jack Miller's Barbecue Sauce. Continuing a family tradition begun by his father Jack in 1955, Kermit's family recipe has found a following across the country. Finally, we arrive at Chicot State Park, where hundreds of people from around Louisiana, and the world, were gathered for Le Grand Hoorah. We hear music performances by Cajun youngsters and meet the brains behind the festival, Gilbert "Winkie" Aucoin. Winkie explains why he is dedicated to the preservation of his culture. We also eat our weight in cracklins and boudin, thanks to the tireless efforts of individuals like Toby Ryder, an expert in the art of traditional Cajun boucherie. We end our show by learning about NOLA Nite Market, another outdoor Louisiana event happening in Westwego on November 14th and 15th. The evening bazaar features a plethora of authentic Asian street foods created by local mom and pop restaurants – complete with live music and artisan wares. NOLA Nite Market founder Thuy Pham tells us what to expect at the nighttime fete. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

From the height of its popularity in the 19th century to its modern revival, absinthe has a long and storied history. A favorite pastime of artists, writers, and bohemians, the spirit known as "the green fairy" was subject to a near global ban for nearly a century due to myths about its hallucinogenic effects. Even after those bans were lifted around the turn of the millennium, its wild and mysterious reputation remains. On this week's show, we delve into the mythical world of this once illicit elixir. We begin with Evan Rail, author of The Absinthe Forger. In this true crime novel, Evan follows the trail of a shadowy grifter who uses absinthe's mythical status to his own ends. Along the way, Evan gives readers a fascinating glimpse into the international underground absinthe scene that proliferated during the drink's prohibition. Then, Marielle Songy joins us to discuss the history of an iconic New Orleans cocktail: the Absinthe Frappé. Marielle delves into the early days of the drink and its first home, the Old Absinthe House in the Crescent City. Today, you can enjoy an Absinthe Frappé anywhere in the nation thanks in no small part to New Orleans environmental chemist Ted Breaux. Ted tells us about the two decades he spent analyzing pre-ban absinthe bottles to prove to the U.S. government that there was nothing dangerous about the fabled green liquor. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

With its proximity to Latin America, Louisiana has long enjoyed a treasure trove of delightful food and spirits from south of the border. This week, we take a long look at that bounty. First, 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. Then, we hear from Jimena Urrutia and Marcelo Garcia, the talented husband-and-wife team behind one of New Orleans' most innovative eateries: Empanola. Together, they have transformed traditional empanadas into authentic tastes of Louisiana and a myriad of international flavors as well. For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.