We Live To Eat

This week’s Capitol Connections, presented by LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs Will DuBos, recaps the conclusion of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session and its impact on the restaurant industry. With the Legislature officially adjourned, the episode reviews the key issues that shaped the session, highlights important victories for Louisiana restaurants, and discusses sev...

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, breaks down key developments as the legislative session enters its final stretch. Much of the Capitol is now focused on tightening committee agendas, leadership priorities, and fast-moving bills nearing final passage. The LRA is continuing to actively oppose HB 617, which would require...

In this week's Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, breaks down several key legislative wins for Louisiana's restaurant and hospitality industry. Topics include successful efforts to amend HB 665 protecting Louisiana's commercial catfish industry, defeat of SB 499 involving biometric ID requirements for alcohol-serving est...

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos , LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, provides a mid-session recap highlighting key legislative issues impacting restaurants from workforce and workers’ compensation to payment processing, agriculture, and public safety. He shares progress on House Bill 232, which would streamline hiring minors and is advancing to the Se...

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode , Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, focuses on workers’ compensation as key legislation begins to move forward, including SB 408 to update the state’s outdated medical fee schedule . While the bill is advancing, it remains controversial, and the LRA is supporting an alternative , HB 357, while also working to redirect...

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode Will Dubos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, marks the midpoint of the legislative session as bills begin moving between chambers. House Bill 1, which is the state’s operating budget, has cleared committee and heads to the House floor. The LRA is also tracking and opposing Senate Bill 499, which would require a costly biometric a...

On this We Live to Eat podcast episode , Chef Susan Spicer , co-owner and founder of Bayona in New Orleans, reflects on her culinary journey, sharing how global travel and Louisiana’s rich culture shaped her approach to food . She discusses her restaurants, the challenges of the industry, and her shift into a mentorship-focused , semi-retired role, emphasizing that passion and business knowledge a...

Will Dubos, LRA's Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, highlights this session's progress during Week 4 of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session. Key efforts include pushing for seafood industry support through market funds and task force expansion, while successfully opposing new administrative burdens by exempting restaurants from seafood record-keeping mandates. Addi...

In this week’s Capitol Connection  podcast episode, Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, delivers a legislative update from Week 3 of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session. The episode highlights the LRA’s advocacy efforts in Baton Rouge, including support for the seafood industry, opposition to new administrative burdens on small businesses, and key reforms to...

In this week’s Capitol Connection podcast episode, Will DuBos, LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, highlights three key areas: the state budget, labor legislation, and a proposed debit card surcharge ban. Lawmakers are reviewing the 2026–2027 budget, impacting workforce and tourism. Labor bills aim to streamline workers’ comp and simplify hiring minors, while a Senate bill wo...

This episode of the LRA’s We Live to Eat podcast features Kevin Daigrepont and Tyler Griffin, managers for Gillis Grocery & Cafe and Gillis Meat Market. They share their journey from corporate sales and data analysis to leading a beloved family institution, focusing on preserving a local legacy through intentional service, community events like the Boudin Trail, their annual car show, and much...

Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, brings you the first Capitol Connection podcast of 2026. Lawmakers kicked off the Louisiana legislative session in Baton Rouge, while Stan Harris and Britney Ford lead 30 LRA members in D.C. at the National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference, focusing on Immigration Reform, Swipe Fee Reform, and the US-Mexico-Can...

In this We Live to Eat Podcast episode, we are joined by Blakelee Kibodeaux, co-owner of Villa Harlequin in Lake Charles, as he shares his journey from the service industry to restaurant ownership and building a new concept from two legacy brands.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept....

In this We Live to Eat Podcast episode, Garret LeBlanc, HR officer and director of special projects for B&G Foods, talks about growing up in a multi-generation restaurant family, his path into the industry, and his role with the Louisiana Restaurant Association. LeBlanc also shares his vision for strengthening member engagement and continuing his family’s legacy in Louisiana’s hospitality comm...

Ti Martin, co-proprietor of Commander's Palace, joins the We Live to Eat Podcast to share her journey from family roots to leadership, the evolution of Commander's Palace, and her vision for training the next generation through NOCHI.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept. ht...

In this episode of the We Live to Eat podcast, Joanne Domilise, owner of Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar shares her journey taking over the iconic New Orleans restaurant, preserving its traditions, and earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept. https://www.inst...

Monique Ricci, the new CEO of Acme Oyster House, joins the We Live to Eat Podcast to share her journey from design to leadership, her family’s history with the brand, and what’s ahead for this New Orleans favorite.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept. https://www.instagram.com/louisi...

Huy Pham, owner of Yakuza House in Metairie, joined the We Live to Eat Podcast to share his path from working in his mom’s restaurant as a teen to opening his own successful concept. He discusses overcoming challenges, following his passion, and building a restaurant that reflects his vision and creativity.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is...

In this episode of the We Live to Eat podcast, Christian Pendleton , General Manager of Brennan’s Restaurant , shares his journey from the military to fine dining, the mentors who shaped his leadership, and the importance of hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences. As Brennan’s nears its 80th anniversary , Pendleton reflects on the team’s growth and the restaurant’s lasting legacy.  N...

Eric Avery, owner and founder of Crying Eagle Brewing Company in Lake Charles, stops by the We Live to Eat podcast to discuss how a bachelor party brewery tour in Houston sparked his idea to bring a similar experience to Southwest Louisiana. With no prior food or beverage background, Avery drew on his entrepreneurial experience in real estate and self-storage to build Crying Eagle into a community...

Steven Hightower, Director of Food and Beverage at the University Club, joins the We Live to Eat podcast to share his journey in Louisiana’s hospitality industry. From starting in restaurants at LSU and Ruth’s Chris to leading City Group Hospitality, he discusses mentorship, teamwork, and passion for the business. Hightower highlights his work with the LRA and Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, the...

J.P. Ngo, co-founder of Our Mom’s Restaurant, joins the We Live to Eat Podcast to share his journey from college bars to one of Louisiana’s best ranked burger spots and how his focus on people, comfort food, and community shaped his approach to hospitality.  New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association C...

 New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept. https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/ https://x.com/LaRestAssoc https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

In this episode of Capitol Connections , Will DuBos, Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs at the LRA, recaps the 2025 Legislative Session and its impact on Louisiana’s restaurant and hospitality industry. From passing key protections—like the restaurant reservation bill and French Quarter safety funding—to defeating costly mandates and unregulated food laws, hear how the LRA Advoca...

In this special episode, LRA's own Wendy Waren sits down with this year's LRA Showcase Keynote Speaker and Louisiana’s culinary ambassador to the world, Chef John Folse, as he shares personal stories from his boyhood in the German Coast swamp to the founding of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute. Get a taste of what’s to come when he takes the stage as keynote speaker at the 2025 LRA...