Author Archives: Robert

Winsor Court After the Flood New Orleans’ Windsor Court Hotel opened in the early1980s around the time the World’s Fair came to town. From day one, Windsor Court has been consistently listed among the top hotels in the world. It has garnered more awards and more acclaim than any other hotel in New Orleans, andContinue reading “Winsor Court After the Flood”

Destin Lament DESTIN, Fla— Two fellow Mississippians, Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally, wrote a song about being down in this part of the country during the off-season: The Coast Is Clear. Twenty years ago when I first heard the song, I couldn’t relate to it. I thought, that’s just two old guys who don’t likeContinue reading “Destin Lament”

After-School Snacks One day last year, while my wife was out of town, I picked my daughter up from school. On our way home we stopped by one of my restaurants to deliver some paperwork. While there, my daughter and I sat down in the dining room, shared a plate of French fries, and talkedContinue reading “After-School Snacks”

Fall Peaches? Is it fall yet? I don’t know when the first official day of fall arrives, but around here, it doesn’t feel like “fall” until mid December. The first day of autumnal equinox is September 23. But on September 23 rd in South Mississippi it doesn’t feel much different than August 23 rd orContinue reading “Fall Peaches?”

Benton’s Bacon is Best I have discovered the world’s best bacon. Chef John Besh, recently introduced me to Allan Benton’s bacon. Besh was introduced to the product through Chef John Fleer of Blackberry Farm in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, not too far from the smokehouse where Allan Benton does his magic. Benton hasContinue reading “Benton’s Bacon is Best”

One Year Later I spent the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with my friend and noted New Orleans chef, John Besh. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner while filming a television program. Besh cooked breakfast at his home in Slidell, took us to lunch at Café Reconcile, and finished the program with a nine-course feastContinue reading “One Year Later”

A Riot in the Cafeteria The food police are at it again. This time they’re targeting school lunchboxes. The Center for Science in the Public Trust has recently issued a Lunchbox Makeover for school-age children giving them, what they believe are, “10 tips for a healthy school lunch.” It is my belief that— to aContinue reading “A Riot in the Cafeteria”

Pineapple Sherbet One day last week the weatherman at my local television station reported the day’s heat index as 117 degrees. Earlier that afternoon I had been running errands for my wife. My children were with me. One of our errands placed us near Kamper Park in my hometown of Hattiesburg. As a child IContinue reading “Pineapple Sherbet”

For Whom the School Bell Tolls I am now the father of two school-aged children. This week my daughter enters fourth grade and my son enters kindergarten (let’s all bow our heads and say a prayer for Mrs. Prine, his teacher). Back to school means returning to the daily routine of getting to bed early,Continue reading “For Whom the School Bell Tolls”