Spain 3: Los Islenos | A Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse & Company (2007)

Hurricane Katrina focused attention on Louisiana's St. Bernard Parish, home of the resilient, proud and hopeful Islenos descendants. Dorothy Benge introduces us to these wonderful people and the unique heritage of these Canary Islanders. Chef Folse visits Rhonda Gautier in Natchitoches, La. as she prepares the tamale, a great food contribution of the Spanish. Neil and Donna Wilkinson perform traditional music from the Spanish colonial period. In this episode from the “Our Food Heritage” series of “A Taste of Louisiana” from January 27, 2007, Chef John Folse focuses on the Spanish influence on Louisiana cuisine. First, he recounts the history of the Los Isleños, descendents of Canary Islanders who settled in St. Bernard Parish, along with Dorothy Benge, the president of the Los Isleños Culture and Historical Center. In the kitchen, Chef Folse prepares Fried Oyster Po’ Boys and talks with Benge. Next, he visits Rhonda Gautier at her home in Natchitoches to learn how to make Zwolle Tamales. Back in the studio kitchen, Chef Folse makes a soup called Caldo and continues talking with Benge. Throughout the show, Neil Wilkinson and Donna Wilkinson entertain the audience with live music.