Say More with Carla Pesono

Sue Zemanick's Road to the Michelin Star | Say More with Carla Pesono

Sue Zemanick is the chef and owner of Zasu, one of New Orleans’ most acclaimed restaurants and a recent Michelin star recipient. We talk with Sue about her journey from Pennsylvania to New Orleans, working in some of the city’s most iconic kitchens, and what inspired her to open Zasu in Mid-City. She also shares the story behind earning a Michelin star, how the recognition changed the restaurant overnight, and why staying true to her style of approachable, high-quality food matters more to her than creating a pretentious dining experience. We also dive deep into New Orleans seafood culture, Sue’s favorite ingredients and dishes to cook, her love for Southeast Asian flavors, and the realities of balancing restaurant ownership, creativity, leadership, and family life. From octopus and oysters to neighborhood restaurants and culinary trends, this conversation is a candid look at what drives one of the city’s most celebrated chefs. Say More with Carla Pesono is a bold, unfiltered podcast where food personality Carla Pesono sits down with the most interesting chefs, musicians, artists, and community figures—from New Orleans and beyond. A former TV news anchor turned food creator and media personality, Carla brings her newsroom curiosity and kitchen-table honesty into every conversation. It’s not about small talk. It’s about the full story—the messy, inspiring, real stuff people rarely get asked. Let’s pour a glass & Say More. Follow Say More with Carla Pesono: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_ [http://www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono [https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono] Website: https://www.carlamedia.com/ [https://www.carlamedia.com/]

How James Clesi Built a Crawfish Empire in New Orleans | Say More with Carla Pesono

James Clesi is the owner and chef behind Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant & Catering, known for some of the most talked-about crawfish boils in New Orleans. We sit down with James to talk about how he built his business from the ground up, starting with simple sidewalk pop-ups and turning them into a full-scale restaurant, catering operation, and event space. From his Sicilian roots to growing up around food and family traditions, we get into how culture, consistency, and community shaped the way he approaches both cooking and hospitality. We also dive deep into New Orleans crawfish culture, what actually makes a great boil, why timing matters more than any recipe, and why people get so fired up over traditions like “red gravy” vs sauce or what belongs in the pot. James breaks down the real difference between Cajun and Creole influences, shares how the industry has evolved with growing demand, and explains why creating an unforgettable experience goes far beyond just the food. Say More with Carla Pesono is a bold, unfiltered podcast where food personality Carla Pesono sits down with the most interesting chefs, musicians, artists, and community figures—from New Orleans and beyond. A former TV news anchor turned food creator and media personality, Carla brings her newsroom curiosity and kitchen-table honesty into every conversation. It’s not about small talk. It’s about the full story—the messy, inspiring, real stuff people rarely get asked. Let’s pour a glass & Say More. Follow Say More with Carla Pesono Youtube: www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_ [http://www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono [https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono] Website: https://www.carlamedia.com/ [https://www.carlamedia.com/]

From Classroom to Comedy Tour with Nick Harrison | Say More with Carla Pesono

We’re kicking off Season 2 of Say More! Nick Harrison, aka Mr. Professor, is a comedian and influencer who turned a 15-year career in education into a full-blown content empire and now a nationwide tour. We sit down with Nick to unpack how a few TikTok videos during the pandemic turned into millions of followers, brand deals, and the Gen X Takeover Tour that’s selling out shows across the country. From grocery store jam sessions to working with major brands, he breaks down how consistency, authenticity, and just having fun built something way bigger than he ever expected. We also get into the real reason his content hits: connection. Nick talks about creating joy in a heavy world, the emotional impact his videos have had on fans, and why staying grounded matters even as everything scales. From music, nostalgia, and Buffalo Bills fandom to faith, family, and building a business off your personality, this conversation is raw, relatable, and exactly what Say More is all about. Say More with Carla Pesono is a bold, unfiltered podcast where food personality Carla Pesono sits down with the most interesting chefs, musicians, artists, and community figures—from New Orleans and beyond. A former TV news anchor turned food creator and media personality, Carla brings her newsroom curiosity and kitchen-table honesty into every conversation. It’s not about small talk. It’s about the full story—the messy, inspiring, real stuff people rarely get asked. Let’s pour a glass & Say More. Follow Say More with Carla Pesono Youtube: www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_ [http://www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono [https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono] Website: https://www.carlamedia.com/ [https://www.carlamedia.com/]

Korey with a K on Turning Viral Skits Into a Comedy Career | Say More with Carla Pesono

Korey with a K is a viral comedian and content creator from New Orleans whose laid-back, improvisational skits rack up millions of views and keep the internet laughing. We talk with Korey about how he went from casually posting short Instagram videos to building a full-time career rooted in consistency, originality, and staying true to his values. He breaks down his creative process, why he avoids controversy-driven humor, and how pulling inspiration from everyday life has helped him stand out in an oversaturated social media landscape. We also dig into Korey’s breakout impersonations, including the Cam Newton videos that led to real-life collaborations, and how validation from the people he parodies shifted his perspective on success. Korey shares how the past year became his biggest growth period yet and opens up about filming his own improvised sketch comedy show, drawing inspiration from In Living Color and Key & Peele. This is a real conversation about patience, integrity, New Orleans culture, and using comedy to bring joy when people need it most. Say More with Carla Pesono is a bold, unfiltered podcast where food personality Carla Pesono sits down with the most interesting chefs, musicians, artists, and community figures—from New Orleans and beyond. A former TV news anchor turned food creator and media personality, Carla brings her newsroom curiosity and kitchen-table honesty into every conversation. It’s not about small talk. It’s about the full story—the messy, inspiring, real stuff people rarely get asked. Let’s pour a glass & Say More. Follow Say More with Carla Pesono Youtube: www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_ [http://www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono [https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono] Website: https://www.carlamedia.com/ [https://www.carlamedia.com/]

Justin Kennedy on What Makes Parkway Bakery A New Orleans Institution | Say More with Carla Pesono

Justin Kennedy is the general manager of Parkway Bakery & Tavern, one of the most iconic po’boy shops in New Orleans, whose story is inseparable from the city itself. We dig into Parkway’s roots as a neighborhood bakery founded in 1911, the real history behind the po’boy, and how this corner institution evolved alongside New Orleans’ changing neighborhoods, industries, and culture. Justin breaks down why French bread matters, how roast beef became the backbone of Parkway’s menu, and why doing things the right way—fresh, consistent, and from scratch—has always been non-negotiable. We also get personal about Hurricane Katrina, the moment that nearly ended Parkway but ultimately solidified its legacy and Justin’s lifelong commitment to it. From rebuilding after the storm to growing Parkway into a globally recognized spot—including earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand—this conversation is about community, family, mentorship, and service. For Justin, Parkway isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a living museum, a civic responsibility, and a place where New Orleans comes together across generations and backgrounds. Say More with Carla Pesono is a bold, unfiltered podcast where food personality Carla Pesono sits down with the most interesting chefs, musicians, artists, and community figures—from New Orleans and beyond. A former TV news anchor turned food creator and media personality, Carla brings her newsroom curiosity and kitchen-table honesty into every conversation. It’s not about small talk. It’s about the full story—the messy, inspiring, real stuff people rarely get asked. Let’s pour a glass & Say More. Follow Say More with Carla Pesono Youtube: www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_ [http://www.youtube.com/@CarlaPesono_] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono [https://www.instagram.com/carlapesono] Website: https://www.carlamedia.com/ [https://www.carlamedia.com/]