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

How Mosca’s Became a New Orleans Italian Restaurant Legend | Say More with Carla Pesono

Lisa Mosca is a co-owner of Mosca’s, one of the most iconic Creole-Italian restaurants in the New Orleans area. We sat down with Lisa to explore the remarkable story behind her family’s over 80-year-old restaurant, from her grandparents’ journey from Italy to Chicago and eventually Louisiana, to the generations of hard work, sacrifice, and hospitality that helped turn Mosca’s into a beloved institution. Lisa shares what it was like growing up inside the restaurant, how the family developed their unique Creole-Italian cuisine, and why the family-style dining experience has continued to bring people together for decades. We also discuss the challenges of preserving a family legacy, including navigating Hurricane Katrina, COVID-19, and the loss of her father while helping lead the business into its next chapter. Lisa reflects on the lessons she learned from her family, the role Italian immigrants played in shaping New Orleans food culture, and how hospitality extends far beyond the food on the table. This conversation is a heartfelt look at family, tradition, resilience, and the enduring power of creating a place where generations of people can gather, celebrate, and make memories together.

Ian McNulty on New Orleans Food Culture & Restaurant History | Say More with Carla Pesono

Ian McNulty is a food critic and journalist from NOLA.com and Where Y’Eat who has spent decades documenting the restaurants, chefs, and culture that make New Orleans one of the greatest food cities in the world. We sat down with Ian to talk about how a guy from Rhode Island became one of the most trusted voices in New Orleans food journalism, what he learned covering the city after Hurricane Katrina, and why restaurants here mean so much more than just a place to eat. From neighborhood joints and fine dining institutions to Michelin stars and po-boy debates, we dig into the stories behind the city’s evolving food scene and the people keeping it alive. We also get into the rise of food influencers, how social media has changed restaurant culture, and why New Orleans still feels different from every other food city in America. Ian shares his thoughts on the future of Creole cuisine, the emotional connection locals have to restaurants, and the balance between preserving tradition while embracing new flavors and ideas. This conversation is a love letter to New Orleans hospitality, resilience, and the never-ending conversation around food in this city. 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/]

Inside the Brennan Family Restaurant Empire with Dickie Brennan | Say More with Carla Pesono

Dickie Brennan is a restaurateur and the founder of Dickie Brennan & Company. We sat down with Dickie to talk about growing up inside one of New Orleans’ most iconic restaurant families, carrying on a legacy that helped shape the city’s food culture, and what it really takes to lead restaurants through decades of change. From Commander’s Palace and Brennan’s to Bourbon House, Palace Café, and Pascal’s Manale, Dickie shares the stories behind some of the city’s most beloved restaurants and the people who inspired him along the way. We also dive into the evolution of New Orleans hospitality, the impact Covid had on the restaurant industry, and why genuine human connection still matters more than ever. Dickie opens up about leadership, mentorship, preserving New Orleans culture, and how food has the power to bring communities together. From bourbon culture and Creole-Italian cuisine to rebuilding historic restaurants and dreaming up new ideas for the city’s future, this conversation is packed with history, honesty, and a deep love for New Orleans. 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/]

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/]