Spotlight on History
Louisiana Chefs
In honor of National Culinary Arts Month, the LDMA is highlighting Louisiana chefs and restaurateurs throughout the month of July. Watch LPB interviews through the years with the people who have shared one of Louisiana’s greatest exports with the nation and the world, our unique and flavorful cuisine.
Justin Wilson (1982)
Watch Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with the late Justin Wilson, the famed Cajun cook, humorist, and storyteller.
Al Copeland (1983)
See Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with the late Al Copeland, the founder of the Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits restaurant chain.
Chef Paul Prudhomme (1984)
View Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with the late Chef Paul Prudhomme, the owner of K-Paul’s Restaurant in New Orleans.
Black Chefs (1984)
Watch profiles of three African American chefs on Folks – Herman Perrodin of Didee’s Restaurant, Austin Leslie of Chez Helene, and Charles Bailey of the Capitol House Hotel.
Chef Emeril Lagasse (1985)
See a Folks interview with a 28-year-old Emeril Lagasse during his time as the executive chef at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans.
Chef Charles Henri Brandt (1989)
View an En Français interview with Chef Brandt, the owner of Chalet Brandt Restaurant in Baton Rouge and the co-author of a French language cookbook called Cuisine de Louisiane.
Chef John Folse (1994)
Watch Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with John Folse, the famed chef, restaurant owner, and host of LPB’s A Taste of Louisiana series.
Ella Brennan (1998)
See Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with Ella Brennan, the late owner of Commander’s Palace Restaurant in New Orleans.
Ruth Fertel (1998)
View Gus Weill’s Louisiana Legends interview with Ruth Fertel, the founder of the Ruth’s Chris Streak House restaurant chain.
Chef Leah Chase (2012)
Watch the late Chef Leah Chase discuss her life and career at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in this Louisiana Legends interview with host Beth Courtney.
Todd Graves (2020)
See Beth Courtney’s Louisiana Legends interview with Todd Graves, the founder of the Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant chain.
