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On this week’s The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we are at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum discussing their new exhibit, “The First Settlement: Filipinos in Louisiana.” It tells the story of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the US, located in St. Bernard Parish, called St. Malo. We also discuss another important area, Manila Village, located on an island in Barataria Bay. We speak extensively about the culinary and cultural history of the Filipino community in Southeast Louisiana. Our guests are Jessica Melendez-Bayuga, president of the Philippine-American Women’s Association of Louisiana, Chef Cristina Quackenbush of Milkfish, and Brent Rosen, president of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.

Pictured above from left – Brent Rosen, president of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Chef Cristina Quackenbush of Milkfish, Jessica Melendez-Bayuga, president of the Philippine-American Women’s Association of Louisiana, and Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show.

The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias – The First Settlement – Filipinos in Louisiana – 2022Ep28

We’re back at one of our favorite spots – The Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB) – talking about their new exhibit, “The First Settlement: Filipinos in Louisiana.” It is in their new extension, “The SoFAB Research Center and Boyd Library” located at Nunez Community College in St. Bernard Parish, which is opening soon. The exhibit is part of the facility’s opening.

We welcome Jessica Melendez-Bayuga, president of the Philippine-American Women’s Association of Louisiana, Chef Cristina Quackenbush of Milkfish, and Brent Rosen, president of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum to the show.

Our discussion includes touching on the history of the first settlement, St. Malo, that was located in St. Bernard Parish, as well as Manila Village, another spot that played a critical role in the history of the region. It is located near Lafitte in Barataria Bay. Among other things, we talk about the dried shrimp industry, which the Filipino community introduced to the area.

Importantly, we discuss how the effort to put the exhibit together, with the help and significant contributions from the Filipino community in the area, has served to bring them together in meaningful ways.

Food plays an important part in the story and still serves today as an essential mechanism for making connections and sharing culture. We discuss this idea and talk about traditional dishes and cooking technique, how meals are central to many holiday celebrations, and how the younger generation of Filipinos in the area are learning and discovering their past and present, often through food.

Cristina, Jessica, and Brent stick around for our podcast-only segment, “Another Shot with NOLADrinks,” where we continue our conversation with a specific focus on Filipino cuisine.

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan