Do you love food and wine? Black Southern Belle has you covered with some help by way of a Louisiana Belle. Today we are showcasing a Southern Cuisine and Wine Expert Shares Her 5 Favorite Southern Dishes. If you want inspiration to follow your foodie dreams or just get some inspiration for your next dinner party, make sure to check out the story by Chef Rhonda of Lake Charles, LA.
Title: Chef of Wine Arts
Company Name: Taste by Chef Rhonda/Taste Collection Cellars (Wine Business)
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Alma Mater: McNeese University
Favorite thing about being southern: The Hospitality of people in the South
What is your personal life motto?A�It is what it is!
What is the most challenging professional obstacle you have had? Feeling Defeated at times
Who is your favorite character a a�?Different Worlda�?? Whitley Gilbert
If you could do any job, what would that be? A�Making sure homeless and poverty stricken children are fed daily all over the world
Who do you wish you could meet? Living Leah Chase /Deceased Edna Lewis
What would your best friend say is the best/most annoying quality about yourself? That I am a perfectionist at keeping it simple
What advice would you give your younger college self? Remember ita��s never about you, always about someone else
Where can we connect with you?
https://www.facebook.com/tastebychefrhonda/
https://www.facebook.com/tastecollectioncellars/
https://twitter.com/tastecollcell
https://twitter.com/TasteByChef
https://www.instagram.com/tastecollectioncellars/
https://www.instagram.com/taste_by_chef_rhonda/
My 5 Favorite Southern Foods to Cook and Why
Smoke Sausage & Seafood Gumbo
Since I can remember it was always a staple in my home growing up. It is one of my favorite foods. We would also serve it with large family gatherings everyone just loves it! it just brings everyone closer having a large bowl of it. One day when I was away at college, I decided to make a large pot and invite some friends over just to remind me of back home, the taste was not like Mommaa��s. My roux was burnt, just terrible! I made a vow to myself I was going to master a good ole Louisiana gumbo and never look back. I make a darn good gumbo;-)!
Shrimp & Grits
Well, Ia��m not a very big breakfast person but I love brunch. Ia��ve always been a grit lover and love to try different flavors in my grits but I must say shrimp and grits always bring people to the table.
Creole Potato Salad
I was never a fan of eating just anyonea��s potato salad but my Grandmother Vivian potato salad was like no other. I always said when I start cooking and people request potato salad I will do her potato salad. So, I tried mastering it. Ita��s not quite exactly like hers but its darn close! I always get request for it and everyone just adore it. It reminds me of her so much and when I have gatherings at home, I prepare it in the same bowl she did when she served the family and friends.
Drop Biscuits
Everyone that knows me and my eating habits, knows my great love affair with bread. My quick go to bread is my grandmother Isabellea��s (Maw Belle) drop biscuits. I truly believe she started this love affair with bread, especially her biscuits. As a young girl with my cousins visiting her on weekends we would come in from playing outdoors and just wanted something good to snack on. She would stop everything she was doing and we would all help her prepare the best melt in your mouth drop biscuits for all of us. We loved that time with her visiting and especially eating those warm biscuits. So, I love making those biscuits just like she did keeping that memory alive with my future grandchildren.
Pecan Crusted Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles w/ Dark Cherry Compote
Well, I dona��t know how Southern Chicken and Waffles are but my Pecan crusted Chicken and Red Velvet Waffles definitely qualify for being Southern. I just love preparing this meal for brunch for holidays and lazy days in our home. It always put smiles on everyonea��s face. I also prepared it on a show I competed on the Food Network, one of the judges told me, I totally gave him inspiration to rush over to his restaurant right now and test it out with a different chicken piece part and my red velvet waffles and put it on his menu! A�So, again, I love preparing this meal any time its requested or when I just feel like preparing Southern Dolla��s Pecan Crusted Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles.