Wherever you go in the world you find human beings have two things in common. We all like to eat. And we all like to incorporate into our living spaces non functional objects we call art.

In many countries we’ve institutionalized these traits. We dine in restaurants and we hang art in galleries. 

In New Orleans, as usual, we’ve gone our own way. We’ve turned dining into an art form. And our artists are increasingly hanging their works in their own spaces.

Peter’s guests on Out to Lunch today represent both strands of this movement.

Ally Burgieres is an artist with three art galleries, a line of clothing, and collection of ceramic animals with goles in their head.

Chef Tory McPhail is the Executive Chef at Commander’s Palace and has a line of sauces he’s bottled and put his name on the label.

Chef Tory talks about competing in a marketplace dominated by media food stars like Gordon Ramsay. Ally Burgieres talks about competing in an art marketplace where your piece of art can be stolen and disseminated to millions in moments – which is what Taylor Swift did with Ally’s drawing. Legal proceedings are, well, proceeding.

Photos taken over lunch in the wine room at Commander’s Palace by Alison Moon.