Episode 227: Haunted French Quarter Hotels

Each year, Food & Wine magazine shares their list for Best New Chefs in the country. Kelly Jacques – cofounder and chef of Ayu Bakehouse in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans – joins the ranks of Nina Compton, Anna Castro and Nicole Cabrera Mills as a Best New Chef. Jacques started the highly popular bakery following the COVID-19 pandemic and really made a splash on the famous Frenchman Street. In this week's episode, Jacques talks about her mission of bringing joy to the community and those who eat her food, plus what the honor means to her.

In today’s episode, we’re highlighting this year’s Festival Acadien et Creoles in Lafayette with VP of Programming & Development Patrick Mould. The festival, as it’s known today, is in its 51st year of bringing Cajun and Creole culture to the masses. The three-day festival is set to highlight the food, music and art of the region and includes multiple stages, art exhibit and symposium, chef demonstrations and more. For more information visit festivalsacadiens.com!

Nicole Beauchamp is a world-renowned paranormal researcher with a soft spot for the spirit of the Crescent City. Her recent contribution to the paranormal world is her newest book “Haunted French Quarter Hotels,” where she takes a dive into the history and hauntings of 10 New Orleans hotels. This week, we talk to the author about her new book, her personal paranormal experiences in the city and around the world, as well as the free and open-to-the-public book launch happening Oct. 4 in New Orleans. 

For a couple decades West Monroe has played host to the Louisiana Celtic Festival. While northeast louisiana might not strike many as the most celtic areas of the world, the festival brings together those from all over looking to don a kilt and learn more about the rich culture. And for those of us who are part of the “Outlander” fandom, it’s the perfect opportunity to have your own Scottish experience before the premier of the final season. This week, I’m talking with Courtney Hornsby and Adrienne Lafrance-Wells with the city of west Monroe where they share a little background into the history of the festival, what to expect, events those interested can participate in, and what else to do around west Monroe while you’re in town. www.facebook.com/NELACelticFestwww.cityofwestmonroe.comwww.monroe-westmonroe.org 

This year marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the greater New Orleans area. But, less than a month later, southwest Louisiana was hit by one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record and the biggest storm to hit the area in almost 50 years at that time. For 17 years, Randy Roach served as the mayor of Lake Charles. In 2005, he not only had to take in displaced New Orleanians following Hurricane Katrina, but then make the difficult decisions that came along with a direct hit by Hurricane Rita. This week, we chat with the former mayor about the experience of Hurricane Rita and reflecting back on 20 years later. 

Earlier this summer Tom Llamas took over the reigns as the anchor and managing editor of NBC’s Nightly News. A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, and married to a local New Orleanian, the Big Easy has been like a second home for the journalist. I recently interviewed him for our sister publication New Orleans Magazine and recorded the conversation that spanned career, new beginnings and what New Orleans and Louisiana means to him. 

Next to the St. Louis Cathedral and the Crescent City Connection, the Superdome is a visual icon of the city, completing the well-known skyline of the Big Easy. Through the ups and downs of football to playing host to the likes of The Rolling Stones and Muhammed Ali, The Superdome has seen the city through many phases since its opening. One, most notable, was the domed building’s role in Hurricane Katrina. As the home of the New Orleans Saints celebrates its 50th anniversary and we look back on 20 years since Katrina, this episode we’re taking a journey from the beginning with Evan Holmes. Holmes is the General Manager of the now-named Caesars Superdome, as well as the Smoothie King Center and ASM New Orleans. 

Lafayette has been nominated in USAToday’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Place to Visit for Fall. A contest you can help the city win by voting up until Sept. 8.This week, Ben Berthelot, president and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, shares some insight into the culture, food and fun that continue to make Lafayette the place to be – especially this fall – in Acadiana. 

Last December, Louisiana Life writer Kevin Rabalais set out in the early morning hours outside of Natchitoches with Richard Armstrong, his daughter Camille, hunting dog Gage and the rest of their crew to go duck hunting. A hunter his entire life, Richard talks with us about the ins and outs of hunting in Louisiana: the sport of it all, the artistry of the motions and the way hunters are helping with wildlife conservation.

About 30 minutes outside of Covington, sits Isabel, Louisiana in Washington Parish - the now host of a crystal-clear private lake that has officially opened to the public for day passes and cabana bookings. With kayaks, fishing spots, a 3-mile nature walking trail and more, Lake Isabel Farm is shaping up to be the perfect beach day getaway. Owner Anthony Sedlak joins us to chat about the inception of Lake Isabel Farm and the future offerings that are already in the works.