Lisa Dupar On Southern Food Traditions & Navigating Authenticity in Storytelling

In this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I sit down with chef, restaurateur, and author Lisa Dupar for a thought-provoking conversation about Southern food traditions, cultural storytelling, and the complexities of authenticity. Raised in the South, Lisa grew up surrounded by the rich culinary heritage of the region. She reflects on how her family's experiences—and the people who shaped her understanding of food—have influenced her journey as a chef and storyteller.

One of the most powerful parts of our discussion revolves around Lisa’s childhood connection to the Gullah Geechee people, an African American community with deep-rooted culinary and cultural traditions. As a child, Lisa’s family employed a maid from the Gullah Geechee community, and only in recent years has she begun to truly understand the distinction between cultural appreciation and appropriation. In our conversation, she shares her journey of unlearning and re-learning, recognizing the importance of giving credit to the origins of the dishes and stories she grew up with. Together, we explore the idea of ownership in storytelling—who gets to tell which stories and why? As Lisa shares, these food traditions were a part of her upbringing and identity, and she sees it as her responsibility to speak about them with truth and acknowledgment rather than allowing them to be erased.

We also dive into a larger discussion on the weight of history—how acknowledging the past, no matter how complicated or painful, is crucial to ensuring these stories don’t disappear. In the food industry, we often see narratives erased, rewritten, or misrepresented. Lisa and I discuss why it’s essential to tell the full story, honoring those who came before us and ensuring that credit is given where it’s due. The conversation challenges the notion of “staying in your lane” when it comes to discussing food and culture, instead advocating for responsibility, respect, and the willingness to confront history head-on. We talk about how food is inherently a story of migration, adaptation, and resilience, and that to truly celebrate it, we must acknowledge its full, often messy, history.

Beyond food and storytelling, Lisa opens up about her own professional journey and the barriers she broke as a woman in the culinary world. She shares what it was like being the first woman in two of her early kitchen jobs, navigating male-dominated spaces at a time when women were often sidelined in professional kitchens. But Lisa didn’t just break through—she built something of her own. As a mother of four, she launched her own catering company and restaurant, proving that success in the food industry doesn’t have to follow a traditional path. We talk about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices and struggles that come with building a business while raising a family, and the illusion of work-life balance that so many people chase. Lisa gets real about the pressures of being a mother and a business owner, and we unpack the unrealistic expectations often placed on women in both roles.

This episode is a deep dive into food, history, and identity, but it’s also a reflection on personal growth, learning, and doing better. Lisa’s story is one of resilience, reflection, and an ongoing commitment to honoring the past while forging a new path forward. Whether you’re a chef, a storyteller, or someone passionate about the intersections of food and culture, this conversation will leave you with a lot to think about.

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