Southern Smoke Dispatch w/ Chefs Ana Castro and G Benchawan Painter

Copper & Heat Radio

In this episode, Katy talks with chefs Ana Castro of Lengua Madre in New Orleans, and “G” Benchawan Painter from Street to Kitchen and Th_Prsrv in Houston. Ana was one of the 2022 Food & Wine Best New Chefs and Lengua Madre was a Bon Appetit 50 Best New Restaurant. G won the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas.

In this episode, Katy, Ana, and G talk about dealing with bad customers and reviews, discussing mental health with family, and the different ways they support their team.

We recorded this episode in collaboration with the Southern Smoke Foundation and Visit Houston. Southern Smoke exists to take care of our own. As a nonprofit founded and powered by current and past F&B workers, they’ve felt the heat of the industry firsthand. Their efforts are dedicated to creating a meaningful safety net of support that doesn’t exist for most people in our world.

To learn more about their emergency relief and mental health programs, visit their website.

Ana Castro

Instagram | Lengua Madre | About her new project

G Benchawan Painter

Instagram | Street to Kitchen | Th_Prsrv

Southern Smoke

Instagram | Get Help | Donate

Visit Houston

Instagram | Website