Sweet Mama Janisse Launching 12-Episode ‘Food for the Soul’ Podcast on April 5th

This is a press release from the Food for the Soul Podcast:

Sweet Mama Janisse. [Photo by Chuck Johnson]

Marie Kathryn Janisse, originally of New Orleans, is known in local circles as Sweet Mama Janisse. She is a restaurateur, caterer, and entrepreneur.  You may have seen her cooking segments, taken one of her classes, picked up one of her sauces, or met her in person while enjoying a meal in her cafe.  Now, thanks to the media production students in the MARZ Media studio, you can hear stories from her decades long love affair with cooking in a podcast called “Food for the Soul.”

Launching April 5th to coincide with Taste of Main Street, this twelve episode series covers topics like catering in Hollywood, raising a child as a working mom, starting your own business, and Marie’s advice to anyone wanting to open a restaurant: “Don’t.” She talks about growing up in New Orleans, learning to cook at her grandmother’s knee, and creating her award winning line of signature sauces. Each episode features a recipe you can try yourself ranging from soul food classics like smothered pork chops to vegan food, and something called “Sticky Love Pudding.”

To produce this series, Marie worked with the media production students in the MARZ Project, the Ink People’s free digital arts studio for at risk youth. Over several months, under the direction of producer Kati Texas and audio mentor Cory Goldman, they interviewed Sweet Mama about food, family, and her roots in Creole culture.  Then the teens, who are learning audio engineering skills, edited the shows, added music, and prepared the podcast for publication.

MARZ media workshop. [Photo courtesy of Ink People]

The MARZ Project is a free drop in media studio where anyone ages 12 to 26 can work one on one with professional artist mentors on audio, video, and digital graphic projects. Bring your ideas, or start from scratch. Inkpeople.org

Food for the Soul will be released weekly beginning April 5th at blessmysoulfoods.comm where you can subscribe so you don’t miss a bite.