Foodies of Lafayette: The Podcast
Welcome to the official podcast of Foodies of Lafayette—where flavor meets community! Hosted by founder Heidi McDonald and partner Jason Stoner, each episode brings you inside the kitchens, stories, and lives of the people who make Lafayette’s culinary scene unforgettable. From behind-the-scenes chats with local chefs and restaurant owners to stories of food-driven charity, culture, and celebration, this is where Acadiana's food spirit comes to life—one delicious conversation at a time.
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🎙️ Episode 12: From Culinary Competitions to Casino Cuisine – Chef Willie Gaspard's Journey
September 17, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 12
Chef Willie Gaspard sits down with Foodies of Lafayette to share the remarkable journey that led him from being one of 62 grandchildren in a food-loving Cajun family to his current role as both Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage at Cypress Bayou Casino.
Growing up in Delcambre, Louisiana, Willie’s earliest food memories involve watching his grandfather cook 18 turkeys at once for family gatherings and his grandmother preparing gumbo in a crawfish pot in her garage. Despite making his schoolteacher mother cry when he chose culinary school over college (“She thought I was going to be an eight-dollar-an-hour cook for the rest of my life”), Willie quickly proved his talent by winning culinary competitions across the Gulf Coast.
Chef Gaspard takes listeners behind the scenes at Cypress Bayou Casino’s five dining venues—especially the acclaimed Mr. Lester’s Steakhouse. Learn about their Creekstone Farms beef, famous bread basket, and how steak trimmings become fajitas at the casino’s Mexican restaurant. From award-winning soft-shell crab to a cigar room chair catching fire, this episode blends excellence with colorful stories from a life of hospitality.
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🎙️ Episode 11: The Heart of Mel's Diner – A Lafayette Legacy
September 10, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 11
Shelly Bond, second-generation owner of the iconic Mel's Diner, takes us on a heartwarming journey through Lafayette's restaurant history beginning with a Pit Grill in 1962. From arcade game memories to the beloved pancake poster, Shelly shares what makes Mel's a family legacy spanning three generations.
After a fire during COVID and a two-year rebuild, the diner's triumphant reopening reminded Lafayette just how much this place means to the community. Her son Carson is now general manager, carrying the torch with pride.
Whether it’s gumbo after a Mardi Gras ball or perfect pancakes after a night out, Mel’s is open 24/7, 364 days a year—serving love, scratch-made comfort food, and a whole lot of heart.
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🎙️ Episode 10: From School Cafeteria to Lafayette Food Icon – Ruby Sharlow's Journey
September 3, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 10
Ruby Sharlow's inspiring journey from Church Point to Lafayette culinary legend begins at age 54, when she opens her first restaurant after transforming school cafeteria food for years. Within two years, she’s running three beloved restaurants built on authentic Cajun cooking and family support.
Her son Tim now continues the legacy at Tim's Kitchen, serving the same soulful dishes and honoring his mother’s belief: "Love what you do, stay genuine, and keep God in your life."
Ask for Ruby’s cookbook when you visit!
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🎙️ Episode 9: The Charles Goodson Legacy – From Bartender to Restaurant Empire
August 27, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 9
What happens when an engineering student realizes he's better at managing bars than studying equations? Charles Goodson's remarkable journey from college dropout to restaurant legend reveals the unexpected paths that passion can carve through life.
Goodson takes us back to 1967 when he first stepped behind the bar at The Keg, setting in motion a career that would transform Lafayette's culinary landscape. He shares how his struggle through engineering courses led to a thriving career in hospitality: "I started going to school less and working more."
Discover the origin stories behind Café Vermilionville and Charley G's, including the bold move to open during Lafayette's oil bust. He reveals the philosophy that kept his restaurants thriving: "A well-run and managed facility will always win."
With reflections on gumbo, crab cakes, and the chefs behind them, Goodson emphasizes why he believes hospitality can’t be taught—but must be lived. He also shares how founding Eat Lafayette helped local restaurants survive seasonal slowdowns.
Now part of Southern Hospitality Kitchens with his daughters, Goodson embodies a full-circle journey—from bartender to culinary elder statesman.
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🎙️ Episode 8: The Girouard Legacy – Ton's Restaurant
August 20, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 8
Holly Girouard shares the story of Ton's Restaurant, a 60-year Cajun culinary legacy. From her grandparents’ humble beginnings in 1963 to a vibrant downtown revival, Ton’s serves family-style hospitality with every plate.
Signature dishes like their original burger and gumbo—now made in 40-gallon batches by her partner, musician Roddy Romero—connect generations of customers to Acadiana’s soul. The newest location honors the past while introducing fresh juices and vegan options.
“We’ll mom you,” Holly explains, embracing every guest as family. Their eggs are farm-raised, and nothing leaves the kitchen that isn’t served to loved ones. This love-infused hospitality defines Ton’s as more than a restaurant—it’s a second home.
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🎙️ Episode 7: What Happens When A Crawfish Farmer Opens a Restaurant – The Cajun Table
August 13, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 7
From harvesting crawfish at dawn to crafting secret seasoning blends, the team behind The Cajun Table embodies the soul of Acadiana's food culture. This candid conversation with Sean, Lauren, and Kyle reveals the remarkable journey from backyard crawfish boils on Azalea Street to building one of Lafayette's most beloved restaurants.
Sean Suire's day begins at 4:30 AM during crawfish season, harvesting approximately 1,500 traps over six to seven hours from 350 acres of family land—a tradition spanning four generations. This commitment to freshness means the crawfish served at Cajun Table were swimming in the pond that very morning. Their proprietary seasoning has remained unchanged for a decade and is now available for retail purchase.
What began as a food truck in 2015 evolved into a full restaurant in 2017, where authentic Cajun culture thrives in every detail. From crawfish cages that belonged to Sean's grandfather to national recognition from CBS News and Emeril Lagasse, their journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Menu favorites like Nonk's Funky Potatoes and their unique post-boil seasoning technique show how Cajun Table turns innovation into tradition. The team shares stories of staff culture, their family-oriented hiring process, and what it takes to build a true community-focused eatery.
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🎙️ Episode 6: From Pot Washer to Community Pillar – The Story of Ema Haq
August 6, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 6
What happens when a young engineering student from Bangladesh finds himself washing pots in a university cafeteria in Louisiana? For Ema Haq, it became the first step in an extraordinary journey that would transform him into one of Lafayette's most beloved restaurateurs and community leaders.
"I didn't even know how to cook rice," Ema laughs. Yet this mechanical engineer would go on to win 30+ culinary awards, operate multiple restaurants, and build a food distribution empire—while working full-time in engineering.
Ema’s Thanksgiving tradition has grown from 160 meals to feeding over 1,500 people annually. His commitment to giving back is rooted in gratitude, faith, and community.
He partners with local schools to reward improvement and believes in building a better America through small, consistent acts of love and generosity.
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🎙️ Episode 5: A Calling in the Kitchen – Kent Zerangue & Food With Love
July 28, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 5
Kent Zerangue didn't set out to run a nonprofit serving hundreds of hospice patients. After 31 years at Altria, retirement plans changed when his father's hospice journey inspired him to ask: "What if we just cook food and give it away?"
That spark became Food With Love, a ministry cooking 800 meals a week for 140 families. Volunteers, prayer, and dishes like Adeline's Loaded Baked Potato Soup feed more than bellies—they open hearts.
Kent’s purpose-built kitchen is fueled by faith, community donations, and a calling to serve. “The food is just a way to get in the door,” he says. His book "Holy Moments on the Journey Home" captures the impact of this sacred work.
Want to help? Volunteer via Facebook or buy the book—every dollar supports this mission.
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🎙️ Episode 4: Sullivan Zant's Journey Through Louisiana's Food Scene
July 21, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 4
Sullivan Zant's journey from reluctant cook to culinary leader began at Coyote Blues, where a missed server opportunity landed him in the kitchen—and changed his life. At Vestal, his wood hearth is more than a tool—it’s a calling. With a background in education, Sullivan runs his kitchen like a classroom, having built a culture of respect, passion, and mentorship.
His accolades and humble philosophy remind us that success is forged in fire—and fueled by heart.
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🎙️ Episode 3: Gas Station Gourmet with Al Hebert
July 14, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 3
What do spatchcocked turkeys, UFO encounters, and gas station sweet potato soufflé have in common? They're all part of Al Hebert's extraordinary life story. Known across America as the Gas Station Gourmet, Al has spent 14 years uncovering culinary treasures hiding behind fuel pumps, documenting his discoveries for the National Association of Convenience Stores magazine.
Before becoming a celebrated food explorer, Al served as a sheriff's deputy and transitioned to healthcare education before launching his media career. His discovery of a gas station that smelled like “your grandmother's kitchen on Sunday afternoon” inspired a lifetime of exploration.
He shares his favorite finds—from seafood at Port Quick Shop to Cornish game hen in Noonday—and created the Gas Station Vacation Map to help others find hidden gems.
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🎙️ Episode 2: From Pizza Parlor to Cajun Empire – The Tim Metcalf Story
July 7, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 2
Tim Metcalf's remarkable journey from the son of an Idaho potato farmer to Lafayette restaurant mogul reads like a Hollywood script, complete with a recent crocodile hunting accident in Africa that left him with a torn quad tendon. Yet this injury hasn't slowed the unstoppable force behind Deano's Pizza, Prejean's, Marcello's, and other beloved local establishments.
The Metcalf family legacy began in 1971 when Tim's father relocated to Lafayette, where Tim quickly adapted and began working in the family business by age thirteen. Today, four generations of Metcalfs remain actively involved—a rarity in any industry.
Tim helped innovate Cajun toppings during the oil crisis, and his philosophy of property ownership has allowed him to thrive even in tough times. He's deeply involved in the community through Dustin Poirier's Good Fight Foundation and hosts Business of Bourbon tastings at Marcello’s Wine Shop.
Visit any of Tim's restaurants to experience what happens when flavor truly meets community.
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🎙️ Episode 1: Flavor Meets Community – The Foodies of Lafayette Story
July 2, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 1
Join Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner as they reveal the remarkable journey of Foodies of Lafayette from a simple idea to a thriving community. Discover the origin story behind the Facebook group, their Culinary Excellence Awards, Community Fridge, and more.
🎙️ Trailer: Foodies of Lafayette – Food, Community, Connection
June 19, 2025 · Trailer
Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner launch the Foodies of Lafayette Podcast, teasing upcoming guests and sharing their mission to spotlight Acadiana’s food stories.
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