NOLADrinks Show – 10-29-18 – Chefs Brigtsen, Lopez, and Toups – Boudin, Bourbon and Beer

On this week’s The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we talk with three luminary chefs here in New Orleans – Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s, Phillip Lopez of Galatoire’s, and Isaac Toups of Toups Meatery and Toups South. We discuss southern cooking traditions, the importance of supporting the next generation of culinary professionals, and a great event they all participate in – Boudin, Bourbon & Beer – put on by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

Pictured above from left…

NOLADrinks Show – 10-29-18 – Chefs Brigtsen, Lopez, and Toups – Boudin, Bourbon and Beer

We start things off with a short intro of this week’s show and a brief discussion of next week’s show featuring a chat on single cask whisky and the business of independently bottling in that realm. We will also have a special feature on the 100th anniversary of the famed cocktail, the grasshopper, invented at the iconic French Quarter restaurant, Tujague’s.

Then, we head over to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum for our featured interview. We’re joined by Franck Brigtsen, executive chef/owner of Brigtsen’s, Phillip Lopez, executive chef of Galatoire’s, and Isaac Toups, executive chef/owner of Toups South and Toups Meatery.

We discuss their backgrounds and styles. Frank shares his path from working under Paul Prudhomme to opening his own, well-regarded place in 1986. Phillip discusses what it’s like to take the helm of this famous, classic restaurant and how he puts his touch on things. Isaac talks about how he brought his Cajun culinary background to New Orleans, the differences between his two spots, and his new cookbook.

Of course, we talk about many other things including southern, Southeast Louisiana, and New Orleans cooking styles and traditions. Importantly, we also chat about the cultural importance in the region of helping the next generation of culinary professionals through guidance and opportunity. All three of these chefs benefitted from this in their careers and are now paying it forward.

We discuss an important upcoming event for charity, Boudin, Bourbon & Beer. It’s a terrific happening that raises money for youth organizations. Frank, Phillip, and Isaac talk about the importance of the event and what it means to each of them to participate. Certainly, we talk about all the great music, food, and drink (while we sip on some bourbon, no-less) you can enjoy when it all goes down on Friday, November 9. See more here.

Lastly, all three chefs stick around for “Another Shot with NOLADrinks” – our podcast only portion of the show – where we chat further (and sip on more bourbon!) on some of these topics. We close things out with our “Parting Shot” talking about getting out the vote next week!

The map below shows the location of each restaurant and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. You can get the podcast from your favorite platform as well as subscribe to, stream, and download the The NOLADrinks Show podcast using the links and player at the top of this post!

Cheers, You All!

~ Bryan