Like so many residents of New Orleans can attest, podcast creator Stephen Torres came to New Orleans for a trip and ended up sticking around.

“I was consulting on a recipe website and I came down for what was supposed to be a three day visit which ended up turning into three weeks. Some of the first experiences here were watching football at Barrel Proof with Chris Hannah of Jewel of the South, pizza at Pizza Domenica with Liam Deegan, Gillian White and Robert Leblanc of LeBlanc + Smith and of course, bouncing around town with Michael Gulotta of MOPHO. Since day one, it’s been so welcoming,” he explains.

Torres has always gravitated towards restaurants, he’s worked at them all over the country but says no where seems quite like the Crescent City. Today, the married father of one son is launching his own mezcal company called Criollo de Oaxaca and his way of promoting his new wares is via a podcast, The Criollo Podcast.

“We have been working on the project for 4 years, it is very near and dear to my heart. I started it as a way for myself and my son to be close to Mexico. I am of Mexican descent and felt very disconnected from Mexico growing up as a kid. I did not want that for him. The podcast came about as a way to promote the brand but also the category as a whole. We drink some amazing mezcal from friends in Oaxaca such as LaLo (LaLocura), Graciela (Real Minero) and Asis (Origen Raiz). I wanted to use the podcast as an excuse to talk with my friends again on a regular basis! There really is nothing like having a conversation with a good friend over a mezcal. The only way it can be better is if you are in the courtyard of Casa Oaxaca Hotel.”

On the Criollo Podcast, Torres talks to (and imbibes with) chefs from all over the world. On his NOLA-centric episodes, he chats with Nina Compton (Compère Lapin), Melissa Martin (Mosquito Supper Club), and Michael Gulotta (Mopho). Topics range from the industry, Beyoncé and Jay Z, political movements, and everything in between.

“I think there is a strong case in saying that New Orleans is the one true definitive food culture in America. It’s so unique. New Orleans food does not taste the same anywhere else. I have taken New Orleans chefs to Chicago, Paris and Australia. While we did our best to replicate the experience, you just can’t. There’s really no place like New Orleans in the world,” declares the host, who had no experience podcasting before and admits that hearing your own voice over and over is “spooky.”

Torres says there is something unique and special about his New Orleans guests, too. Compton, Martin, and Gulotta all were able to record their segments in person.

“I think that naturally creates a  vibe that is hard to duplicate ‘virtually.’ You can ask any of the chefs I can sometime pour heavy which leads to a better conversation. But in all seriousness I think what differentiates the New Orleans guests from the rest is we are living and breathing in the same city that we love so I think there is a natural understanding and empathy knowing that . Michael is from New Orleans, Melissa is from Chauvin, Nina is from St. Lucia and I grew up near Chicago but here we are navigating so many different difficult parts of 2020 together. We check in on each other all the time. Just a simple “hey, how you doing”.  Its all about community and Michael especially since day one has always made me feel a part of it. He was actually one of the first people I ever met in New Orleans roughly 6 and a half years ago.”

To listen to the Criollo podcast, visit here.

Follow them on Instagram @criollodeoaxaca.