Poppy Tooker

Brennan's Restaurant on Royal Street is grander than ever – all thanks to the loving care of founder Owen Brennan's nephew, Ralph Brennan. Named one of the 20 most influential restaurant people in the country by Restaurant Business Magazine, Ralph runs some of the city's finest dining destinations. On this week's show, we sit down with Ralph Brennan himself to discuss his life in food.

Although South Louisiana does not provide the easiest growing conditions, when fueled by passion and obsession, it's amazing what can be done. On this week's show, we introduce you to some real alternative thinkers who are successfully cultivating the unusual and the exotic. We take a trip to the SG Tiki Farm in Pearlington, Mississippi before stopping by Ninth Ward Nursery in New Orleans.

Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." That line is just as true today as it was when the Greek physician said it 2,500 years ago. We know we are what we eat and drink, yet we don’t always consume what's best for our bodies, minds, or souls. On this week's show, we gather together three experts to examine the impact our diets, our cravings, and mental health have on our lives.

As summer nears its end and thoughts turn towards back-to-school, we're having one last adventure – a tour through the rich and diverse offerings of New Orleans' Asian cuisine scene. We hear from Thuy Pham, founder of the NOLA Nite Market, meet the husband-and-wife behind Thai restaurants Pomelo and Good Catch, and speak with food blogger Maggie Zhu.

When the 2018 Federal Farm Bill was signed into law, repealing the nation's 82-year prohibition on hemp, Louisiana's legislature rapidly opened the door for a booming new industry here in our state. In just a few years, the hemp industry has grown to represent over $33 million in state commerce annually. On this week's show, we explore this fibrous cannabis plant and meet the people who are extracting it, infusing it, and serving it up at your favorite local bar.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are officially underway. Athletes from more than 200 countries are gathered in Paris, looking to bring home the gold in everything from archery to water polo. On this week’s show, we raise a glass to international camaraderie by sampling spirits from across the globe.

In 1983, the Louisiana legislature named crawfish as the official state crustacean. In 2008, they proclaimed the Sazerac as New Orleans' official cocktail. And on June 1, 2024, Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, proclaimed Blue Plate Mayonnaise to be the official mayo of poor boy sandwiches. On this week's show, we explore some other essential poor boy ingredients.

What do a group of Buddhist monks, a New Orleans-based Chinese bakery, and a non-profit that educates young girls in Nepal all have in common? Why, dumplings, of course! This week, we explore three groups of people who are doing their best to make their mark on the world and the role that dumplings play in each of their stories.First, local chef Angela Wilson tells us about Empower Nepali Girls, a group dedicated to providing education to young women, whose opportunities are otherwise as landlocked as their South Asian country.Next, we hear from Aisha Chen of Wishing Town Bakery, who, along with Vivi and Kevin Zhen, is helping expand New Orleanians' palates with a creative take on traditional Chinese desserts and dim sum.Finally, we take part in an extraordinary evening, when a lucky gathering of locals eats a traditional Tibetan meal, prepared by visiting Buddhist monks.For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Since ancient times, the Eastern Mediterranean has been one of the most significant regions in the world. Sitting at the crossroads of trade routes, the area – which, broadly defined, includes Israel, Syria, Greece, and Turkey – has long been a melting pot of cultures and culinary influences. On this week's show, we meet local restaurateurs who are showcasing the rich heritage of the region and learn about the Lebanese diaspora in Louisiana.

In the culinary world, there are many different roads to success. Some are longer and more winding than others. On this week's show, we speak with chefs who have traveled far – literally and figuratively – to find career fulfillment in New Orleans.We begin with Nina Compton of Compére Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, the first Black female chef to receive the coveted James Beard "Best Chef" nod. Nina tells us about her path from the Caribbean and England to New York and Miami, and why she chooses to call New Orleans home.Then, we hear from Merritt Cosha and Tyler Stuart – two Americans who traveled across India to educate themselves on the culture and flavors of the subcontinent. The couple's passion for regional Indian cuisine is on display at their restaurant, Plume Algiers on New Orleans' Westbank.Finally, we sit down with Mason Hereford who talks about his culinary journey from working in barroom kitchens and fancy restaurants to running four acclaimed local eateries, including his flagship sandwich shop, Turkey and the Wolf.For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.