Who run the world? Girls. But you already knew that. They also run some of the best kitchens and restaurants in the Crescent City. In production as we speak is “Kitchen Queens,” the show coming to WYVES-TV in Spring 2020 that spotlights outstanding female chefs across New Orleans. The national cooking series will include 26 episodes, featuring 26 local chefs. Each episode is shot on location in the kitchen of these extraordinary women, where they’ll share their food and stories. 

From culinary graduates, James Beard Award-winners, and self-trained professionals, the royal court of Kitchen Queens have roots in Creole New Orleans, Louisiana Cajun Country, Italy, Vietnam and Latin America. The series is dedicated to the late great Creole Queen, Leah Chase. “Kitchen Queens” will take an in-depth look at the life and legacy of the famous lovable icon who began cooking in 1946 and received a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

“In the course of producing “Kitchen Queens: New Orleans” someone actually asked me if there are really 26 female chefs in the city. The answer of course is a resounding yes!” said producer Terri Landry. “And that’s just scratching the surface. Although they have been under-recognized, women have been a powerful influence on the cuisine of New Orleans since the city’s founding. They have been the keepers of the flame, preserving food traditions and recipes that they learned from their grandmothers and mothers. We appreciate the opportunity to share the stories and incredible dishes of our chefs in this unique series. Viewers will get to meet true New Orleans royalty!”

Ladies and gentlemen, your Kitchen Queens: 

Susan Spicer, Rosedale/Bayona 

Haley Bittermann, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group 

Alison Vega-Knoll, Station 6

Tia Henry, Café Dauphine

Luot Nguyen, Magasin Café

Megan Forman, Gracious Bakery Café

Melissa Martin, Mosquito Supper Club

Christina do Carmo Honn, Café Cour/Carmo

Cara Benson, Tartine/Toast

Tanya Dubuclet, Neyow’s Creole Café

Ericka Michelle Lassiar, Diva Dawg Food Truck 

Allison Vines-Rushing, NOCHI

Sue Zemanick, Zasu

Rebecca Wilcomb, Gianna

Jana Billiot, Restaurant R’evolution 

Christie Plaisance, Bouligny Tavern 

Meg Bickford, Commander’s Palace 

Becky Wasden, Two Girls One Shuck 

Cynthia VuTran, Café Minh

Melissa Araujo, Saveur Catering

Lenora Chong, Morrow’s

Maribeth Del Castillo, Taceaux Loceaux 

Leighann Smith, Piece of Meat

Amarys Herndon, Palm & Pine

Nicole Mackie & Rene Guzman, Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles

So the only question is, who’s hosting the Yas Kitchen Queen Yas party? I’ll bring the cheese.