New Orleans is a culinary titan – our food and recipes dating back centuries and spanning a multitude of ethnicities and cultures. In New Orleans Magazine‘s newest series, “Beyond the Kitchen” dives into the people and personalities continuing traditions and solidifying the Crescent City as an unmatched foodie destination.

Season 2

Episode 4: Chef Nathan Barfield

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. 

Episode 3: Chef Sophina Uong

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.”

Episode 2: Chef Marlon Chukumerije

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.

Episode 1: Chef Edgar Caro

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.

Season 1

Episode 5: Aarón Sánchez

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.

Episode 4: Chefs Colleen Quarls and Liz Hollinger

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.

Episode 3: Miss Shirley Lee

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.

Episode 2: Chef Alfredo Nogueira

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.

Episode 1: Chef Eric Cook

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?”