Food Talk with Tom Fitzmorris

A delightful conversation with the first family of bread in New Orleans: Sandy Whann and son William, and daughter Katie from Leidenheimer Bakery, celebrating 125 years in business. And Cheez Wiz, and crackers like Ritz and Saltines, plus a discussion of Maple St. Cafe.

Peter Caire called in to talk Christmas gifts, and our regular Thursday visitor, Nicole Dorignac told us about fun gifts right off the supermarket shelves. Also the Boston Tea party, turkey basters, roast goose, and chocolate-covered insects.

National Cupcake Day prompted a gosh-darned inspiring chat with Mignon Francois, proud N'Awlins girl, and cupcake entrepreneur. She owns the Cupcake Collection in Nashville and New Orleans. Mignon was a tough act to follow, but our own friend-of-the-show Gunther Preuss held his own with tales of Christmas traditions from his native Germany. Also molasses, the Eiffel Tower, and Jules Verne restaurant there.

Sue Zemanik from Zasu. Bouillabaisse, the Nostradamus Cookbook.

Alex Patout called in to talk Cajun Christmas food. And cracklins. And beef stew.

David Hubbell, the Mirliton Man. And Eggnog.

Frozen foods, Palmiers, Brigtsen's, mulled wine, blue cheese, and Tim McNally helped us with bubbly selections for the holidays.

National Brownie Day, cocoa nibs, spinach.

Chris Barbato from The Country Club talks about their menus. La Provence, Vincent's, Candy Canes. Daube Glace. And zabaglione.

Don Dubuc called in to chat about a wild Louisiana Christmas. Also Nicholas, vegetable soup, microwave ovens, and kirsch.

Valerie Waeltz from The Louisiana Food Truck Festival called in to tell us about it. Also apple pie, stollen.

Beignets. Liver and onions.

Greg Sorenson from our local fruitcake maker Bakermaid called in on National Fruitcake Day.

Vince Hayward of Camellia Beans called in to talk about a new acquisition, Dagostino Handmade Pasta. Also Figgy pudding, espresso/

Kaitlin Guerin from Lagniappe Baking.

Food talk

Janet Sprouse from Jiffy Mix called in. And Jonathan Klascala from Elysian Nar called in to talk Thanksgiving.

Ti Martin called in to talk about Thanksgiving and the new takeout place associated with Commander's Palace, Le Petite Bleu. Mary Ann reports on her trip to California.

Patty sits in for Mary Ann with a visit from Kelly Schultz from New Orleans and Co.

Patty steps in for Mary Ann and is visited by Jay Vise from Second Harvesters..

Patty sat in with an assist from Bob Del Giorno,

Bob Delgiorno sat with Patty in Mary Ann's absence. Chef Andrea called in to chat with Bob.

Bob Mitchell visited Patty, who covered for Mary Ann..

Daniel Lelchuk, The Gourmet Cellist, stepped in for Mary Ann.

Chef Chaya from Bywater Bakery. Split Pea Soup, Seafood Newberg, shelling peas.

T.J.Qutob from Petra in LaPlace called in to talk Thanksgiving. Gibson cocktail, cappuccino, Beef Wellington, Bourbon.

Amy Mehrtens from Copper Vine. Roy Rogers roast beef, doughnuts, Chef Tell.

Candy,  Montmorency

Figs, club sandwich.

Chef Tim from Emeril's calls in to talk about their reopening. Also chives, Marie Antoinette, deviled eggs

Kevin Belton visits to talk about the Historic New Orleans Collection. Brennan's, vinegar, fried clams.

Eric Cook tells us about his new restaurant, St. John. Also oatmeal, pumpkin, Turkey (the country.)

August Escoffier, wild foods.

Baked potatoes. Potatoes Anna.

Rob Nelson from Elmer's Candies. Also pumplin, bluefin tuna, Jerusalem artichokes.

Jacques Saleun, owner of the delicious and sadly gone Chateau du Lac, talks French food. And feijoada, and addictive foods.

Randy Mast from Buffalo South Sauce.

Apples, Jacques Pepin. Tang.

Mike Ditka, Baked Alaska, cyclamates.

We talked to our friend of the show, chef Gunther Preuss. And we talked about Rumtopf, and rum baba.