NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- In New Orleans, we live and love to eat and Thanksgiving is definitely no exception. We love the chefs who feed us, but what do the chefs do on Thanksgiving?
Over the next few days, News with a Twist Reporter Kenny Lopez met with some of our city’s best chefs to hear their personal Thanksgiving Tales. Today, he headed down to the Treme to Lil’ Dizzy’s to talk with Chef Rosalind Martin.
Some whistle while they work, not Chef Rosalind Martin. She sings holiday tunes while she cooks. Whether it be gumbo or the fried chicken that’s made Lil’ Dizzy’s so famous, Rosalind’s got a song in her heart and a soul to her stir.
“We use our very own Lil’ Dizzy’s seasoning and I think that’s what makes our chicken so spectacular,” she said.
On a typical day, Rosalind’s grub gets guests dizzy with delight. She’s worked at Lil’ Dizzy’s for 35 years, serving up authentic creole cuisine, but on Thanksgiving Day, what are her traditions, what does she cook? What’s her Thanksgiving Tale?
“I remember my childhood days. I’d be cooking cornbread dressing in the kitchen with my mother. That was my favorite thing to do, and I remember learning how to cook from my mom,” she said.
She recalls fond memories of spending her Thanksgiving Days with her mom in the kitchen until her mom passed away. Now that her mom’s gone, she makes sure to keep the tradition alive.
“Every year we still go to my mother’s house. I have 9 sisters and 3 brothers. We always make sure to spend it together,” she said.
Even on Thanksgiving she doesn’t get much of a break.
“My family depends on me for the gumbo every single year.”
Lil’ Dizzy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to give their employees time to spend with their families.
Lil’ Dizzy’s is located on the corner of Esplanade Avenue and North Robertson Street.
Click HERE if you’d like to check out their menu items.