Chef Michael Dilonno, Beggars Banquet
interviews with new orleans chefs
Chef Michael Dilonno with his wife, Patty and daughter, Kat
Welcome In: Chef Michael Dilonno
Chef Michael Dilonno has a few restaurant openings under his belt, including Good Mojo in East Hanover, New Jersey, and Avenue Bistro Pub in Verona. Before that, he opened the Huddle Inn in Fairfield, 3 Central in Madison, and Lulu's in Livingston. He took the title of “Chopped” Champion in the Food Network’s cooking competition in 2012. He opened Beggars Banquet with his wife, Patty and daughter, Kat, in the Lower Garden District in 2023.
Out All Day: Hi! Could you quickly introduce yourself?
I'm Chef Michael DiIonno from Beggars Banquet, New Orleans.
What kind of food do you serve?
We're a family owned new American cuisine restaurant and bar.
Let's go back...what are your earliest memories of making meals or being around food being prepared?
My grandma with 100 bushels of plum tomatoes on white sheets in the driveway, turning them every few days and then blanching, skinning and jarring them for the next year.
Where did you learn your trade? Who were your early inspirations or mentors?
Italian and French restaurants in New Jersey.
How is the New Orleans food scene different to where you spent your formative years?
I feel like food is celebrated more in New Orleans.
It's a well-used phrase, but how do you define 'Southern hospitality'?
Relaxed, genuine, and fun.
What's the most esoteric dish you've ever put on a menu?
Chicken feet, black radishes, poblanos, and candy corn - my ingredients on 'Chopped'.
Time to name some names. Where do you like to go for fancy feasts, casual bites, cocktails and a post-shift beer/wind down?
Coquette, Miss Shirley's, Blackbird, Avenue Pub.
What's the most memorable eating experience you've ever had?
Rigatoni Marinara at the Seaside Boardwalk in New Jersey.
You're at home. Maybe you've had a couple of cocktails, maybe you're feeling lazy, maybe you need some quick comfort. What are you making away from the public glare?
A Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich.
Where are your favourite food (or cocktail) cities outside of New Orleans?
New York City and Nashville.
You have an unlimited budget for a meal for you and your loved ones. What's the plan?
An outside picnic table with lots of southern BBQ.
What are you favourite foodie films or TV shows?
Chopped, The Bear, Anthony Bourdain on anything, and Chef.
How do you relax, besides getting as much sleep as possible?
Walking my dogs.
OK, leave us with one kitchen tip or secret hack/juicy piece of gossip/your favorite corny joke. Or all three. Thank you so much for joining us!
French blue steel sautee pans are the best. Also, how many waitstaff does it take to change a lightbulb? None, they sit in the dark and blame the kitchen...
Beggars Banquet is at 1330 Prytania St. Click here for their menus and opening hours.
READ OUR REVIEW OF BEGGARS BANQUET
Chef Michael Dilonno has a few restaurant openings under his belt, including Good Mojo in East Hanover, New Jersey, and Avenue Bistro Pub in Verona. Before that, he opened the Huddle Inn in Fairfield, 3 Central in Madison, and Lulu's in Livingston. He took the title of “Chopped” Champion in the Food Network’s cooking competition in 2012. He opened Beggars Banquet with his wife, Patty and daughter, Kat, in the Lower Garden District in 2023.
Out All Day: Hi! Could you quickly introduce yourself?
I'm Chef Michael DiIonno from Beggars Banquet, New Orleans.
What kind of food do you serve?
We're a family owned new American cuisine restaurant and bar.
Let's go back...what are your earliest memories of making meals or being around food being prepared?
My grandma with 100 bushels of plum tomatoes on white sheets in the driveway, turning them every few days and then blanching, skinning and jarring them for the next year.
Where did you learn your trade? Who were your early inspirations or mentors?
Italian and French restaurants in New Jersey.
How is the New Orleans food scene different to where you spent your formative years?
I feel like food is celebrated more in New Orleans.
It's a well-used phrase, but how do you define 'Southern hospitality'?
Relaxed, genuine, and fun.
What's the most esoteric dish you've ever put on a menu?
Chicken feet, black radishes, poblanos, and candy corn - my ingredients on 'Chopped'.
Time to name some names. Where do you like to go for fancy feasts, casual bites, cocktails and a post-shift beer/wind down?
Coquette, Miss Shirley's, Blackbird, Avenue Pub.
What's the most memorable eating experience you've ever had?
Rigatoni Marinara at the Seaside Boardwalk in New Jersey.
You're at home. Maybe you've had a couple of cocktails, maybe you're feeling lazy, maybe you need some quick comfort. What are you making away from the public glare?
A Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich.
Where are your favourite food (or cocktail) cities outside of New Orleans?
New York City and Nashville.
You have an unlimited budget for a meal for you and your loved ones. What's the plan?
An outside picnic table with lots of southern BBQ.
What are you favourite foodie films or TV shows?
Chopped, The Bear, Anthony Bourdain on anything, and Chef.
How do you relax, besides getting as much sleep as possible?
Walking my dogs.
OK, leave us with one kitchen tip or secret hack/juicy piece of gossip/your favorite corny joke. Or all three. Thank you so much for joining us!
French blue steel sautee pans are the best. Also, how many waitstaff does it take to change a lightbulb? None, they sit in the dark and blame the kitchen...
Beggars Banquet is at 1330 Prytania St. Click here for their menus and opening hours.
READ OUR REVIEW OF BEGGARS BANQUET