Spotlights Archives - My New Orleans

Split Second

Three years ago, on July 4th, Mark Raymond Jr.’s life changed in an instant. At 27 years old, he had been celebrating the holiday with friends on a boat all afternoon in Lake Pontchartrain and periodically cooling off in the…

Great Louisiana Chef: Cajun Learning Curve

A pot of gumbo was the first challenge Chef Alexis Cupich-Indest undertook in the kitchen after moving to Louisiana. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cupich-Indest attended the Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, fulfilling her childhood dreams of becoming a…

A Louisiana Life: Musical Inspiration

Kyle Daigle remembers the first time he heard his music on the radio. “I was getting dressed to go to work and I just froze in my tracks,” the country music singer-songwriter says. “It’s a very cool experience to…

A Louisiana Life: Basin Keeper

The year was 1984, and a young Dean Wilson had just arrived in Louisiana. His ultimate goal was to move to the Amazon, but Wilson — who grew up in the mountains of Spain — knew he would need help…

Designing Life

Today, Lisa McDaniel owns a successful construction company and home design service, but it all started at a charity run. The Baton Rouge native was working in Memphis as an accountant, when she met her now husband, Beau McDaniel, at…

Now We're Cracklin'

Chef Cory Bourgeois, along with partner and self-described “boss lady” Hannah Ellaham, opened Graton Eatery in St. Martinville last June, an homage to the home-cooked breakfasts, lunches and belly-filling snacks that fuel south Louisiana. “I remember going to [my grandmothers’]…

At the Root

Omari Ho-Sang is working to abolish crime and poverty in Shreveport and beyond

Simply Elevated

Scott Gautreau focuses on elegant, home cooked classics at City Pork in Baton Rouge

Woman's Work

Female chefs are running the kitchens and changing culinary culture in a host of Louisiana’s top restaurants

Beats on the Bayou

Steve and Cezanne Nails’ Dockside Studio in Maurice is a creative haven for recording artists

Serious Success

New Orleans Chef Kristen Essig of Coquette opens second restaurant and works for change in the industry

author interview: “the Talented Ribkins”

Ernest J. Gaines Award winner’s novel transcends reality

Meet Me at the Station

Station 6 serves updated versions of New Orleans’ favorite seafood dishes

Tchoup industries Crafts Stylish Bags

New Orleans’ Patti Dunn designs rugged and sustainable bags with a sense of place

Celebrating the New Orleans Tricentennial with art

Fleurty Girl’s Garden District Home

Ryan and Lauren Haydels’ Garden District residence is home to architectural character rooted in the past and a blended family growing toward the future