It’s Carnival time on Louisiana Eats! On this week’s show, we take to the streets with a distinctive krewe of food lovers.

We begin with author and songwriter Johnette Downing, who’s also known as “the pied piper of Louisiana music traditions.” Johnette shares her latest album, Swamp Romp, which, among other things, seeks to answer the eternal question, Who put the baby in the king cake?

Next, writer Sally Asher and illustrator Melissa Vandiver introduce us to The Mermaids of New Orleans, who choose one day of the year to mingle with those of us who live above water—Mardi Gras Day, of course!

Jean LaFleur II also joins us to talk about the Courir de Mardi Gras, a ritual that takes place in rural Creole and Cajun parishes.

Then, Chris Jay illuminates the robust Carnival culture of North Louisiana, where there’s no shortage of parades, king cakes, and daiquiris.

Finally, we visit Will Samuels at the King Cake Hub in New Orleans, an enormous mansion-style funeral home that carries king cakes from across the region. 

For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.