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I love Louisiana. It's amazing.

New Orleans has a lot of good food.

I love Louisiana, and I love being from there.

My food is Louisiana, New Orleans-based, well-seasoned, rustic. I think it's pretty unique because of my background being influenced by my mom, Portuguese and French Canadian. There's a lot going on there.

In '71 or '72 I returned to New Orleans and stayed there. I started cooking Louisiana food. Of all the things I had cooked, it was the best-and it was my heritage.

I grew up in Louisiana. We have red beans and rice, and there's a Popeye's on every corner.

I've always had an interest in Louisiana, especially New Orleans.

I grew up with fantastic Southern food. In Southern California.

I guess I feel that I was following my instincts, and at the same time being guided by the best. I became totally intrigued with Louisiana - the people, the food. It is a part of my life. Everything that has happened for me since moving here has just been icing on the cake.

I grew up in Doraville, Georgia and I ate barbecued ribs and chicken fried steak, and all kinds of cheesy grits, you know, and I never even thought twice about it.