Born and raised in South Louisiana, Chef Craig was inspired by his family meals and his grandmother's cooking. His heart and soul are Southern, which transcends into his cooking. After working in some of the world's most renowned restaurants, opening two of his own restaurants in Louisiana, and honing recipes as a private chef, Chef Craig and his wife Kristen moved to Southern California. They began feeding their friends and neighbors from their home kitchen when the pandemic hit. By the end of COVID, they were turning out more than 80 meals per day. The most popular meal was his fried chicken, inspired by his Southern roots and first made famous by Chef Craig in Aspen at the 7908 Supper Club. The idea to open a fast-casual restaurant devoted to his popular fried chicken took on a life of its own, and Le Coupé was born. The name for Le Coupé in French translates to "The Cut." The cut of Chef Craig's fried chicken thigh makes his chicken unique. He uses a technique that frenches the bone of the thigh while keeping the meat intact, allowing for a unique flavor profile and presentation. The name is also a nod to being all cooped up during the quarantine. Le Coupé has become a local sensation in the burgeoning Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles. This husband-and-wife operation was named the best fried chicken sandwich in California by Yelp -- and everyone who tries it!

For Chef Craig, Le Coupé represents an opportunity to showcase his take on Southern cuisine inspired by a Cajun-French saying – lagniappe. Which means "a little extra." Chef Craig and Kristen, a former event planner, ensure everyone visiting Le Coupé feels like the experience was a little extra. Today we chat with Chef Craig and Kristen, the founders of Le Coupe about:

🐔 How Chef is bringing a slice of Louisiana to East Hollywood at This Low-Key Fancy Fried Chicken Shack

🐔 Why Yelp ranked them the best friend chicken sandwich in the state of California!

🐔 How they made the most of the pandemic and came out knowing the market was eager for their take on fried chicken!