Kathy and Frank Randol hosted CBS 60 Minutes newscaster Dr. Sanjay Gupta (center) at their restaurant in Lafayette, Louisiana. Gupta was doing a story on the southern Louisiana lifestyle and TABASCO. Photo: Gulf Seafood News
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
A renown seafood restaurant in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country was transformed into a set for a CBS 60 Minutes film crew led by anchor Dr. Sanjay Gupta, for a story on southern Louisiana’s culture and the McIlhenny Company, makers of TABASCO brand hot sauce.
As diners, dancers and bystanders looked on, Frank Randol, owner of Randol’s Seafood Restaurant in Lafayette, sat down to talk with 60 Minutes Dr. Sanjay Gupta over a plate of boiled seafood, and of course seven different types of Tabasco sauce.
Randol made sure the film crew got a taste of Acadiana, serving crabs, crawfish, shrimp and sausage; all boiled in their TABASCO based mash. Photo: Gulf Seafood News
“The 60 Minute film crew has been in the area working on story on our unique culture, and the importance of TABASCO,” said Randol, a member of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board representing the crawfish industry.
Earlier the CBS film crew spent the day on nearby Avery Island, headquarters for McIlhenny Company, makers of TABASCO. The crew filmed on various portions of the island and conducted interviews with McIlhenny family members.
While boots, heels and bare feet of all ages danced to the Cajun music of Low Maintenance, Gupta shook hands while the film crew shot footage of the entertainment.
“When the network contacted us they said they were looking at the dancehall, the dancing, the food and our seafood plant,” said Randol, whose seafood boil is made from Tabasco’s dried mash. “All we did is provide the location, our loyal customers provided the unique culture that we are known for worldwide.”
As diners, dancers and bystanders looked on, Frank Randol, owner of Randol’s Seafood Restaurant in Lafayette, sat down to talk with 60 Minutes Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Photo: Gulf Seafood News
According to Randol, the film crew was eager to come to Lafayette for the local flavor and culture.
“I’ve been to Louisiana many times over the years,” said Gupta, a neurosurgeon who also serves as medical correspondent on CNN, a CBS sister channel. “I haven’t spent as much time in Lafayette, but it’s been great. Everyone has been really friendly.”
Randol made sure the film crew got a taste of Acadiana, serving crabs, crawfish, shrimp and sausage; all boiled in their TABASCO based mash.
This is not the first time for Randol’s to be the focus of national attention.
“Over the 40 years we have been in business, we’ve had a number of high profile media events that have spotlighted the area’s culture,” said the Lafayette native. “ABC News has been here, and so has President George W. Bush. This restaurant is a symbol of a way of life unique to southern Louisiana.”
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