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Louisiana Eats: A Serving Of Edible Education

Marie Saint Bris sets the table for "le dîner bleu" in the dining room of her family's Château Beauchêne in France's Loire River Valley.
Poppy Tooker
Marie Saint Bris sets the table for "le dîner bleu" in the dining room of her family's Château Beauchêne in France's Loire River Valley.

Knowing the human history behind any dish just makes it taste better. On this week's episode of Louisiana Eats!, we hit the books with several food historians to hear tales of our culinary past.

Poppy and Christophe Pourny, author of "The Furniture Bible."
Credit Joe Shriner
Poppy and Christophe Pourny, author of "The Furniture Bible."

First, we speak withDr. David Shieldsof the University of South Carolina, who shares his years of research on Americanculinarians. His upcoming book, "Culinarians: American Chefs, Caterers & Restaurateurs," is the first ever biographical collection of culinary movers and shakers in America.

Next, Darra Goldstein, editor of The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets shares tasty tidbits from the definitive new tome. And we'll spend some time with French furniture whisperer, Christophe Pourny, who evangelizes the gospel and history of dining room furniture in his new book, The Furniture Bible.

Finally, we sit down with Marie Saint Bris for le dîner bleu in the dining room of her family's Château Beauchêne in France's Loire River Valley.

A porcelain Chinese pug in a turban.
Credit Poppy Tooker
A porcelain Chinese pug in a turban.

We’re traveling the world for edible education on this week's Louisiana Eats!

Chef Nealy Frentz's Ooey GooeyCake

from Jyl Benson's Fun, Funky & Fabulous

Serves 8

  • 1 – 18.25 oz. box yellow cake mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • Ooey Gooey Filling (recipe below)
  • Confectioners’ sugar for dusting


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 inch square pan.

Blend the cake mix, egg and butter in mixing bowl. Press the crumbly mixture on the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Spread the filling over the crumb mixture in the pan. Bake until golden brown and firm about 45 minutes to an hour.

Cool for 30 minutes and dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

Ooey Gooey Filling

Makes about 2 cups

  • 1 stick salted butter, melted
  • 8 aounces softened cream cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1-pound box confectioners’ sugar

Combine butter, cream cheese, eggs, vanilla and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.

Copyright 2021 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio. To see more, visit WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio.

Poppy is the host and executive producer of the weekly show, Louisiana Eats! Food personality, culinary teacher and author, Poppy Tooker is passionate about food and the people who bring it to the table.