About this episode
Chef and restaurateur Lawrence Weeks channels Southern tradition, global influence, and personal heritage into his Louisville-based restaurants, North of Bourbon and Ensō. A Louisville native, Weeks was drawn to the kitchen at an early age, inspired by his parents' international travels and his family's Creole and Cajun roots. In 2021, he opened North of Bourbon, a restaurant that explores the intersection of Kentucky bourbon culture and the bold, soulful flavors of the American South. Building on that momentum, Weeks debuted Ensō in 2023, a concept rooted in Japanese technique and philosophy while remaining grounded in Southern seasonality. In 2024, he was named a James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist for Emerging Chef. In this episode, Lawrence joins Steve in a conversation that covers his growth from chef to owner, how his exposure to different cultures at a young age shaped his culinary career, and his passion for mentoring young chefs. Thank you to Stolon Food Lab for allowing us to use the space to film this episode. .