On episode eight of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by New Orleans Pelicans TV color analyst Antonio Daniels.
Antonio opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his brother while in college and how it shaped his purpose and drive to go from a 250th ranked prospect at Bowling Green to becoming the #4 overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.
Antonio talks about the people that inspire him in today’s NBA, the challenges of breaking into broadcasting, and his love of New Orleans culture.
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On episode seven of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller sit down with acclaimed restaurant critics and food journalists Brett Anderson and Brett Martin to explore the evolution of food media, from the shift from print to digital to the growing influence of social media on restaurant criticism.
The Bretts discuss the decline of traditional food writing and the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in an era dominated by influencers. They reflect on how thoughtful critique shapes the dining industry and why independent restaurant journalism still matters.
Listen in as they break down the art of restaurant reviewing and reveal their favorite unexpected food cities.
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On episode six of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Touré Folkes, executive director of Turning Tables NOLA, a nonprofit advancing equity in New Orleans’ hospitality industry.
Touré shares how his program is breaking barriers and creating opportunities for aspiring bartenders and beverage professionals as he reflects on the culture, spontaneity, and sense of community that make New Orleans special.
Learn more about Touré’s journey from New York to New Orleans, the hardships he's had to overcome, and the experiences and connections that made him fall in love with the city.
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On episode five of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller sit down with renowned author, journalist, professor and New Orleanian Walter Isaacson.
Isaacson reflects on his remarkable career, from covering quirky New Orleans politics to leading Time Magazine and CNN. He candidly discusses the rise of partisan, opinion-driven journalism and how it prompted him to shift his focus to crafting narrative-driven biographies.
With insights on writing, journalism, and Isaacson's love for New Orleans, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the art of storytelling.
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On episode four of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller sit down with Samir Mowad, General Manager of Caesars New Orleans.
Samir shares his journey from growing up in New Orleans to overseeing the transformation of Harrah’s into Caesars. He reflects on his childhood memories of the French Quarter and Saints and LSU games, highlighting his deep personal connection to the city.
Samir takes us behind the scenes of the massive Caesars renovation, discussing the challenges of rebranding, managing guest experiences during construction, and adapting to the post-pandemic hospitality landscape. He also dives into the impact of legalized sports betting, the Caesars Superdome partnership, and the excitement surrounding the casino’s new luxury hotel with its stunning views of Canal Street and the Mississippi River.
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On episode three of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Grammy Award-winning artist/songwriter/producer PJ Morton.
Morton discusses the challenges and rewards of writing his autobiography, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, as the process turned into a form of therapy, helping him uncover hidden themes and connections in his journey.
PJ shares stories from his upbringing as a preacher's kid in New Orleans and highlights the influence that the city's rich musical culture had on his multifaceted career.
Morton reflects on his journey to earning five Grammy awards and how being nominated alongside legends like Stevie Wonder inspired him. He shares stories about Stevie’s mentorship and how their friendship has influenced his music and advocacy.
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On episode two of the third season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Chef Melissa Martin, owner of the Mosquito Supper Club in New Orleans.
Chef Melissa explains the foundational philosophy of the Mosquito Supper Club, emphasizing the connection to Cajun culture and the importance of using local, fresh ingredients sourced from Louisiana with the goal of preserving Cajun heritage and traditions.
Discussion shifts to Chef Melissa's two books, Mosquito Supper Club: Cajun Recipes from a Disappearing Bayou and Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life, as she aims to dispel common myths and stereotypes about Cajun life and cuisine.
Later we learn about Chef's new project on the West Bank of New Orleans where guests will be able to get a quick escape from the city life and experience a mix of hospitality and local culture while enjoying the beauty of the Mississippi River.
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On episode one of the 3rd season of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green.
Coach Green shares his love for the city of New Orleans, its culture, and how he and his family have embraced living here.
Green discusses transitioning from player to coach and the challenges and rewards of his coaching career, particularly in nurturing young talent as he expresses excitement about this season's Pelicans team.
Later, Green talks about his favorite restaurants in New Orleans and the other cities he visits while traveling with the team and talks about how important nutrition is for NBA players.
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On episode 12 of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Grammy award-winning musician and composer Terence Blanchard.
Blanchard gives a rich narrative about growing up in New Orleans that spans his early influences, artistic evolution, and professional achievements. He talks about the emotional power of music and shares some of the insights and early encouragement he received from jazz legends like Art Blakey and Alvin Batiste.
Giving a mini-masterclass on the complexities and differences between producing music for film and composing and conducting operas and orchestras, Terence Blanchard's insights shine light on the technical aspects of composition and conducting while showing his philosophical approach to music as a dynamic storytelling tool.
Terence passionately discusses music's role in healing and community building, noting how his New Orleans roots and the city's vibrant musical culture deeply influence his work, resonating with global audiences.
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On episode 11 of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Martha Wiggins, Chief Culinary Officer and Executive Chef at Cafe Reconcile.
Chef Wiggins talks about the day-to-day operations and the foundational principles of Cafe Reconcile, emphasizing its commitment to nurturing young individuals in New Orleans through a comprehensive four-tier program. This initiative not only equips them with culinary and hospitality skills but also addresses their personal barriers, providing a holistic approach to their professional and personal development.
Having transitioned from the high-pressure environment of traditional kitchens to the socially impactful space of Cafe Reconcile, Chef Wiggins shares her journey and the fulfillment she finds in working with the youth.
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On episode ten of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by award-winning New Orleans filmmaker Edward Buckles Jr. to discuss his love of filmmaking, storytelling, cooking, and New Orleans.
Buckles talks about his critically acclaimed film "Katrina Babies", a documentary that was not only an outlet for his own trauma but also a means to explore the collective trauma experienced in New Orleans before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina.
Inspired by his grandmother's dedication to preserving family photos, Buckles was drawn to collecting footage and assembling narratives at an early age. This would prove invaluable to Buckles on his nearly seven-year journey of interviewing and compiling stories for "Katrina Babies".
Hear about Buckles' current and future projects as his work seeks to document collective traumas but also foster healing and understanding through the power of narrative.
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On episode nine of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by renowned New Orleans singer-songwriter Mia Borders.
Mia talks about her childhood musical inspirations, playing her first gig at Carrollton Station in 2006, and her day-of routine when preparing for a performance.
Hear more about Mia's progression as an artist and business owner, her love of woodworking, and her soon-to-be released album "Firewalker".
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On episode eight of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Prince Lobo and his mother Dr. Biruk Alemayehu, owners of the Ethiopian restaurant Addis NOLA.
Hear about Biruk's move from Angola to Louisiana when Prince was only two, staying afloat during the struggles of Covid, and expanding to a new space on Bayou Road in the Seventh Ward.
Get a history lesson on Addis' special Ethiopian coffee roasting ceremony and the origin behind Prince's honey wine sourced from his personal Queen Bee Hive in New Orleans.
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On episode seven of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Larry Nance Jr.
Larry talks about becoming a part-owner of the Leeds United soccer club in England, his trade to New Orleans, and some of his first experiences with New Orleans food and culture.
Later, Larry talks about his most recent community effort to help tackle the critical issue of food insecurity in New Orleans.
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On episode six of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Jacqueline Blanchard, owner of the knife shop Coutelier and restaurant Sukeban in New Orleans.
Jacqueline talks about the influences that drew her to cooking and Japanese culture at an early age. She talks about her progression from traveling home with duffel bags full of knives from Japan to serving as one of the best sources of Japanese steel in the New Orleans area.
Hear about how Chef Blanchard learned Japanese, her travel do's and don'ts, and some of her favorites dishes along the way.
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On episode five of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Marc Spears, senior NBA writer for ESPN and Andscape and the executive producer of The Conversations Project on Hulu.
Marc talks about his desire to be an NBA star and how a junior high career day helped shift his perspective and define his path into journalism. The 2023 Curt Gowdy Media Award winner discusses his Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honor, his love of New Orleans and some of the highs and lows of the sports journalism world.
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On episode four of the Between Bites podcast, Nina Compton and Larry Miller are joined by Chef Mason Hereford from the acclaimed New Orleans restaurants Turkey and the Wolf, Molly's Rise and Shine, and Hungry Eyes.
Chef Mason shares how he scaled his career from a bar bouncer to a restaurant entrepreneur with innovative sandwiches as the foundation. The trio talk about Mason's Iron Chef experience, the lost-at-sea supply chain issues surrounding his New York Times bestseller Turkey and the Wolf: Flavor Trippin' in New Orleans, and the mutual love and appreciation that Mason and the city share.
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On episode three of the Between Bites podcast with Nina Compton and Larry Miller, New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon stops by to talk all things food; from his childhood full of fresh fish in Alaska to fine dining while traveling.
Trajan talks about his first impressions of New Orleans cuisine, his favorite dishes when traveling in Italy, and his passions outside of basketball.
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On episode two of the Between Bites podcast with Nina Compton and Larry Miller, New Orleans Chef Donald Link stops by to discuss his journey from South Louisiana to California and back.
The multiple James Beard Award-winning chef talks about how he came up in the industry, the evolving restaurant culture, and some of his favorite New Orleans restaurants to eat at.
The Link Restaurant Group was founded in January 2009 by James Beard Award Winning Chefs Donald Link and his business partner Stephen Stryjewski, with the goal to support the continuous growth of their family of restaurants, currently including Herbsaint, Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Calcasieu, Peche Seafood Grill, La Boulangerie and Gianna.
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On episode one of the Between Bites podcast with Nina Compton and Larry Miller, New Orleans Pelicans Vice President of Basketball Operations & Team Development Swin Cash drops in to talk about her career journey and how she came to work with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Swin talks about her first impressions of the city, her favorite restaurants, and what makes New Orleans special.
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