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 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, a Korean War veteran who discovered pizza while working as a janitor in California, packed up his successful pizza franchises and relocated to Lafayette with his family. Tim, just ten years old at the time, quickly adapted to Louisiana life and began working in the family business by age thirteen. Today, four generations of Metcalfs remain actively involved—a rarity in any industry.
When Lafayette's economy collapsed during the oil crisis of the 1980s, Tim and his bride took over Dino's operations, introducing groundbreaking Cajun toppings like crawfish étouffée pizza when traditional offerings couldn't sustain the business. “We took it to every festival, any place I could go with guerrilla marketing and put it in someone's hand,” Tim recalls of those early innovation days. This creative spirit continues with menu items like the irresistible pizza burger and experimental offerings including a fried chicken sandwich topped with vanilla ice cream.
Beyond menu innovations, Tim's business philosophy centers on property ownership rather than leasehold improvements—a strategy that's allowed expansion even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, when he purchased Prejean's and repositioned it for locals rather than tourists. His community involvement extends beyond commerce through partnerships with UFC fighter Dustin Poirier's Good Fight Foundation, which provides backpacks filled with school supplies to 1,500 children annually.
For aspiring restaurateurs, Tim hosts "Business of Bourbon" tastings at Marcello's Wine Shop, sharing wisdom accumulated over decades. His advice is straightforward: “Don't half-ass it. If you're going to do something, leave your soul on the table.”
Visit any of Tim's restaurants to experience what happens when flavor truly meets community.
Thanks to our great partners:
🎙️ Episode 1: Flavor Meets Community – The Foodies of Lafayette Story
July 2, 2025 · Season 1, Episode 1
Ever wondered how a simple passion for food can transform an entire community? Join Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner as they reveal the remarkable journey of Foodies of Lafayette from its humble beginnings to a thriving movement with over 102,000 members.
Born from Heidi's desire to spotlight hidden culinary gems like Fuji Sushi—"a hole in the wall with super high quality ingredients"—the group has become Lafayette's premier destination for food lovers seeking their next favorite meal. What makes this community special isn't just its astronomical growth (adding 500 members weekly), but its steadfast commitment to positivity in an online world often dominated by criticism.
The conversation takes us behind the scenes of their expanding initiatives, including the Community Fridge Project, Sunday Dinner Guys, and Culinary Excellence Awards—creating collaboration between restaurants, businesses, and volunteers.
"Lafayette, Acadiana as a whole, really is the culinary hub of the universe," Heidi explains, describing the region's food as a gumbo that "pulls in pieces from all over the world, from every culture."
🎙️ Trailer: Foodies of Lafayette – Food, Community, Connection
June 19, 2025 · Trailer
Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner, the dynamic duo behind Foodies of Lafayette, are serving up something fresh with their new podcast. From Culinary Excellence Awards to the Community Fridge Project, this is your audio passport into Acadiana’s food world.
This trailer teases upcoming episodes, including a deep dive with food expert Al Hebert—the man who knows where to find gourmet meals at gas stations—and shares the mission behind the podcast: to celebrate the people, the stories, and the flavors of Lafayette.
Made possible through partnerships with Ounce of Hope, Logic Refrigeration HVAC, Chris Logan Media, and Sunday’s Soda Fountain.