Chef David Guas brings the soul of New Orleans wherever he goes—and in this episode, he brings it straight into the In The Weeds studio. From washing dishes at a Chinese restaurant to leading one of D.C.’s most beloved kitchens (Bayou Bakery), Chef David Guas’ journey is as rich and layered as a bowl of gumbo.

In this episode, Spike Mendelsohn sits down with his longtime friend to talk about what it really means to build a life in food—from New Orleans roots steeped in family, flavor, and fried dough, to shaping D.C.’s early restaurant scene at the legendary DC Coast.

It’s a story about hustle, heritage, and the kind of “instant gratification” only the kitchen can give. Expect tales of Cuban-Creole mashups, mentorship from a German pastry tyrant, the unlikely path from pastry to po’ boys, and how a dishwasher’s humility can take you all the way to chef-owner.

Pull up a chair, pour a café au lait, and let the good times roll.

Some highlights from this episode with Chef David Guas include:

-Growing up in New Orleans East with Cuban roots and family meals that sparked a lifelong love of food.

-Washing dishes, flipping cheesesteaks, and learning the instant-gratification joy of feeding people.

-The call to Justin Wilson that convinced him to chase the craft.

-Getting schooled by Master Pastry Chef Kurt Ebert at Windsor Court—meringue, roux, and reality checks included.

-Moving to D.C. with Jeff Tunks and the crew to open DC Coast, one of the restaurants that helped define a generation of chefs.

-Building Bayou Bakery, finding community through food, and keeping that New Orleans heart beating strong in the nation’s capital.

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🎙️🎙️ In The Weeds Podcast is proudly sponsored by: 

Events DC is the official convention and sports authority for the District and a key player in making some of DC’s most exciting events and experiences happen. From world-class sports to cultural festivals and everything in between, they help power the energy of the city. Visit eventsdc.com to see what they are cooking up!

DC Central Kitchen is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed. To learn more, please visit dccentralkitchen.org