The Quest Express: Travel, Culture & Untold Stories

NEW ORLEANS: Jeffrey R. Doussan, Jr. continues explaining the growing desire for Vietnamese food in New Orleans, how he's preserved agility in all business dealings and markets and much more.

Keller Williams Realty New Orleans: https://doussan.kw.com/

Contact Jeffrey here: [email protected]

Entrepreneurs' Organization Louisiana

Books mentioned:
The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller

How to Get Big Things Done, by Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner 

In this episode:

• Vietnamese foodies in NOLA
• Business decisions between Oreck & real estate
• Changing industries, changing strategies
• How Zillow tried to Pac-Man the traditional real estate industry (and failed)
• Gary Keller's ideas on success
• How Jeffrey's team achieves concierge-level service
• ...and a never-before-heard metaphor on the USA

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS: Jeffrey is a seventh-generation New Orleanian, a graduate of Metairie Park Country Day, and Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. Jeffrey and his wife, Lauren, have three children and are homeowners in Old Metairie. Jeffrey stays active in the New Orleans community as Owner, of Keller Williams Realty New Orleans, President of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, Louisiana, Executive Board Member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and was named one of 2024 Biz Magazine New Orleans’ Most Influential, Involved and Inspiring Executives.

Jeffrey does not hold back with his favorite New Orleans hot spots!

 For your New Orleans real estate needs, please contact Jeffrey here: https://doussan.kw.com/

And email him here: [email protected]


In this episode:

• The Louisiana Children's Museum
• Jeffrey's entrepreneurial training ground
• The oil business in New Orleans
• How culture will win the business game & why companies are moving back to New Orleans
• How you should plan your trip to New Orleans: around meals & music
• Jeffrey's recommendations for your next trip to New Orleans

To Visit with Kids:

Louisiana Children’s Museum: https://lcm.org/

To Eat:

Domilises –  https://www.domilisespoboys.com/

Zasu – Sue Zamanik’s restaurant - https://zasunola.com/

Two Tonys – https://www.two-tonys.com/

Elizabeth Street Café - https://elizabethstreetcafe.com/new-orleans/

To Hear Music:

Tipitina’s - https://tipitinas.com/

Preservation Hall –  https://www.preservationhall.com/

Rock & Bowl - https://www.rocknbowl.com/events/month/2

The Maple Leaf - https://www.mapleleafbar.com/ 

Chickie Wah Wah - https://chickiewahwah.com/

To Stay:

The Columns - https://thecolumns.com/  

The Chloe - https://thechloenola.com/

The St. Vincent Guest House - https://saintvincentnola.com/ 

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  Chef Bobo talks Jambalaya, Mardi Gras Indians & the story of the Louisiana Governor & Marie LeBeau. Also, all about the  Krewe of Orpheus parade which is in February! Check out the website for details.

February 12th @ 6pm is the  Krewe of Orpheus Parade 

*** If you would like a transcript from today's episode, simply email us at [email protected] with TRANSCRIPT in the subject line ***

Hosting an event or party in New Orleans?  

Hire Chef Bobo: [email protected]

Purchase Chef Bobo’s Good Food Cookbook

 Buy tickets to Orpheuscapade, Mardi Gras Ball: 

Info on Krewe of Orpheus Parade, February 12, 2024 beginning at 6:00pm

• The Krewe of Orpheus parade will start at the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.
• The parade will proceed north until St. Charles Avenue, where the krewe will turn east (right).
• The Krewe of Orpheus will follow St. Charles all the way to Lee Circle, around the circle and back on St. Charles northward to Canal Street.
• At Canal, the parade will turn southeastward (right).
• The krewe will follow Canal to the intersection of Canal and Tchoupitoulas Street, where the parade will turn south (right).
• The Krewe of Orpheus will follow Tchoupitoulas to Julia Street, where it will turn east (left).
• The parade will continue on Julia St. until it reaches Convention Center Blvd where it will take a right and end at the Convention Center and Henderson St.

Founded in 1993, the Krewe of Orpheus takes its name from Zeus and Calliope’s musically inclined son. Founding members include musician/actor Harry Connick, Jr. and his father, Harry Connick, Sr., former New Orleans district attorney. With their first parade in 1994, the Krewe of 700 members established itself as a super Krewe. They were the first super Krewe to allow both male and female riders.

The krewe’s throws include a number of sought-after items, including light-up Orpheus medallion beads, three different types of doubloons - Captain's, Krewe, & Musical Legends, four-foot-long stuffed dragons, and their prized throw is a custom decorated tambourine.

Over the years, Orpheus monarchs have included Fats Domino, Quentin Tarantino, Sandra Bullock, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Stevie Wonder, Laurence Fishburne, Forrest Whitaker, Brad Paisley, Anne Rice and Toby Keith.

Unlike many Carnival events which are members-only, visitors are allowed to buy tickets to the black-tie Orpheuscapade, a musical extravaganza after the parade in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

• Year founded:  1993
• Membership:  1500 male and female riders
• Number of floats: 38 floats (including tandems)

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  Chef Bobo shares what happened when he followed his bliss after being laid off from Air France. Thus began the adventure of a lifetime.

Check out the Krewe of Orpheus Parade to catch some throws from Chef Bobo:  https://www.kreweoforpheus.com/

*** If you would like a transcript from today's episode, simply email us at [email protected] with TRANSCRIPT in the subject line ***

Inside:

• Graduating at the top of his class at The French Culinary Institute
• Chef Bobo's passion:  changing the way kids ate in private schools across the nation
• Cooking for Derek Jeter & throwing dinner parties during Covid
• Why race relations required a new parade group: Krewe of Orpheus
• Why Harry Connick Jr. wanted to start Krewe of Orpheus
• How Chef Bobo attracted an international media blitz that ended with a six-figure book deal

BIO:

Chef Bobo is a highly celebrated French chef who taught at the French Culinary Institute, was the personal chef for Derek Jeter, runs his own catering business, and was hired by an elite school to revitalize their lunch program.

And overshot the mark in convincing kids to eat delicious lunches made from scratch every day using fresh, local ingredients.  The lunch program he designed became the #1 lunch program for private schools in the United States.  His philosophy has been adopted in multiple countries around the world. Chef Bobo’s approach to nutrition:  cooking delicious, boldly flavored meals, something he learned from his life in New Orleans.

Before becoming a chef, he worked as an executive for an airline which allowed him to sample cuisines in over 60 countries.  He has a broad understanding of how people love to celebrate with food. That is what New Orleans cuisine is all about.  That’s what life in New Orleans is all about – have fun, eat well, and dance!

Laissez les Bontemps roulez!

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  Chef Bobo spent years in New Orleans and shares the origin story of his passion for food, the inspiring path of his career, and how to completely reinvent yourself and Follow Your Bliss.  January 9th is the first official day of Mardi Gras!

Check out the Krewe of Orpheus Parade to catch some throws from Chef Bobo:  https://www.kreweoforpheus.com/

Inside Chef Bobo shares with us:

• His favorite New Orleans festivals besides Mardi Gras & Jazz Fest
• How Mardi Gras in New Orleans started
• Why New Orleans will never die
• What apartheid had to do with jazz, & the conditions that created jazz
• Why you should go to Preservation Hall next time you're in New Orleans
• Chef Bobo in the kitchen at 7 years old

BIO:

Chef Bobo is a highly celebrated French chef who taught at the French Culinary Institute, was the personal chef for Derek Jeter, runs his own catering business, and was hired by an elite school to revitalize their lunch program.

And overshot the mark in convincing kids to eat delicious lunches made from scratch every day using fresh, local ingredients.  The lunch program he designed became the #1 lunch program for private schools in the United States.  His philosophy has been adopted in multiple countries around the world. Chef Bobo’s approach to nutrition:  cooking delicious, boldly flavored meals, something he learned from his life in New Orleans.

Before becoming a chef, he worked as an executive for an airline which allowed him to sample cuisines in over 60 countries.  He has a broad understanding of how people love to celebrate with food. That is what New Orleans cuisine is all about.  That’s what life in New Orleans is all about – have fun, eat well, and dance! 

Laissez les Bontemps roulez!

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  Mardi Gras starts January 9th, will you be there? If you are, or plan on being there in January or February, check out today's episode for Michael Bill's tips on where to eat, drink, and what not to do on Bourbon Street!

And don't forget to go here and ask for Michael to schedule a tour!

Inside this episode:

• Is there sex in the afterlife?
• Which haunted museums should you visit?
• Where to get the best Po' Boy and the best Hurricane drink, and more...
• How to respect New Orleans while still having a great time
• And what happens in New Orleans...

BIO:

Michael Bill, our first New Orleans guest has been the lead paranormal investigator at 1022 Royal Street for many years with the help of Oz and The Priestess Claudia. His 11 years of experience and his interest mainly in ITC research.

He has been in Vogue magazine with Elle Fanning, The Travel Channel's Haunted USA, and been featured with Leeanna Vamp in her show Ghosted.

Schedule a tour with him if you'll be in New Orleans soon: https://premierxtours.com/

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  We continue the discussion with paranormal investigator & ghost hunter Michael Bill.  In this episode, we learn about how Michael got started, the difference between hauntings & poltergeist, Carrie's childhood experience with a seance, and how to experience one of Michael's tours in person:  Go here and ask for Michael to schedule a tour!

BIO:

Michael Bill, our first New Orleans guest has been the lead paranormal investigator at 1022 Royal Street for many years with the help of Oz and The Priestess Claudia. His 11 years of experience and his interest mainly in ITC research.

He has been in Vogue magazine with Elle Fanning, The Travel Channel's Haunted USA, and been featured with Leeanna Vamp in her show Ghosted.

Schedule a tour with him if you'll be in New Orleans soon: https://premierxtours.com/

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

NEW ORLEANS:  We're now in New Orleans, Louisiana where we're talking to paranormal investigator Michael Bill, about ghosts, voodoo, and the Haitian Revolution.

We discuss:

• Ghost activity in San Francisco & New Orleans
• New Orleans innovations & history
• Michael's first trip to New Orleans 30 years ago
• Who was Cecil Fatima?
• How Voodoo caused the Haitian Revolution
• ...and the origin story of the voodoo doll

BIO:

Michael Bill, our first New Orleans guest has been the lead paranormal investigator at 1022 Royal Street for many years with the help of Oz and The Priestess Claudia. His 11 years of experience and his interest mainly in ITC research.

He has been in Vogue magazine with Elle Fanning, The Travel Channel's Haunted USA, and been featured with Leeanna Vamp in her show Ghosted.

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

VENICE:  Do you know how the Bellini was born and that it may never have happened if it weren’t for the trials and tribulations of an American named Harry Pickering? We can’t leave our final episode on Venice without leaving a few recipes behind. You must try the Baccalà Mantecato which is from our guest Monica Cesarato, and can be found in her book Andar per Bacari.  And we meet the first food writer and celebrity chef from the Italian Renaissance, Bartolomeo Scappi.

Luxury is the absence of impositions. – Giuseppe Cipriani

Inside:

• How Giuseppe Cipriani & Harry Pickering met
• Where the Bellini was born
• How a Norwegian shipwreck influenced a Venetian dish – Baccaro Montecato
• Bartolomeo Scappi – the Gordon Ramsay of his day
• The pioneering dishes of Scappi

DRINK RECIPES MENTIONED:

Peach Bellini
INGREDIENTS

• 1 part Cipriani Peach Bellini Mix (or peach juice)
• 1 part Prosecco
• 1 orange slice

DIRECTIONS

• In a balloon glass full of ice, add 1 part Cipriani Peach Billini Mix.
• Add an orange slice and serve with a side of green olives.
• Add 1 part Prosecco.
• Stir.
• Enjoy!

Venetian Spritz
INGREDIENTS

• either 1 ounce Aperol (sweeter) OR Select Aperitivo (bitters)
• 4 ounces prosecco
• 1 orange wheel, cut in half

DIRECTIONS

1.           Pour Aperol into a champagne flute (or wine glass filled with ice if you want to be traditional) and then slowly pour prosecco over top. Be sure not to pour too quickly or you will have a bubble over. 

2.           Take one half of the orange wheel and squeeze the juice into the drink. Use the other half of the orange wheel as a garnish, or additional juice if you want a little more sweetness to your drink.

 The rest of the recipes mentioned: Baccalà Mantecato, Scappi's Braised Beef & his Tortellini with Capon Meat will soon be posted on The Quest Express websiteon the Recipes page. Please check back soon or subscribe to the newsletter here.

Visit Harry's Bar inside Cipriani (Arrigo & his son Giuseppe Cipriani)
San Marco 1323 - Venezia, Italy 30124

Buy Bartolomeo Scappi's Cookbook in Italian or in English

The Bellini Photo Credit: ©Ryzhkov - stock.adobe.com

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel

 VENICE: Today we conclude our final episode with Chas Carner where we uncover how one of the world's most famous courtesans who was left for dead, rose to even greater prominence after a most horrific deed. Was Angela de Moro La Zaffetta or La Fenice?

Navigating Venice FB Page
Contact Chas: [email protected]

You can find Part I & Part II of the conversation with Chas here:  Part I of Chas’ interview 

If you  missed it, catch the beginning of Angela de Moro’s story in the last episode here before listening to today's episode where we discuss: 

• How Angela de Moro rose like La Fenice
• Chas' opera project based on a fictional future of vengeance
• Venus of Urbino & Tiziano Vecelli
• Where Chas would go if it was his final trip to Venice
• The struggle & triumph of the Costa brothers
• ...and places to check out for your next trip

Visit, Read, & Eat (Episode Mentions)

• Museo Correr
• Teatro San Cassiano:  (The innovative project of our first Guest, Founder, Musicologist and entrepreneur, Paul Atkin go here to listen
• Harry’s Bar at Cipriani’s for The Original Bellini:
• Ask for Max Costa @ Conca D’Oro Venice
• Al Theatro
• Antica Locanda Montin 
• Zuppa di Pesce @ Taverna San Travaso (the same recipe, 40 years) 
• The Little Lark Still Sings by Victoria Smith about a Tuscan farmhouse 

Painting: Detail of Venus of Urbino, by painter, Titian (Tiziano Vecelli); 1534

Introducing the First Premium, Come to You, Decentralized Dinner Society for Discerning Travelers: The Dinner Story.   Visit us and inquire here: The Dinner Story

The podcast may be over, but our curiosity and hunger for inspiring people and experiences will never end.

Join the WAITING LIST for our most unique experiences, COMMISSION a rare season of modular events, or just say HI:   [email protected]

Music Credits:  INTRO:  Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel