The James Beard Foundation’s newly crowned Best Chef: South, Serigne Mbaye grew up between Harlem, New York, and Dakar, Senegal. He’s traveled the States working for fine-dining establishments, and now he’s the owner and head chef at Dakar NOLA, which won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2024. The restaurant recently did some traveling of its own, moving into new digs on Leonidas Street in New Orleans. For our Due South travel newsletter, Mbaye shared the organized way he packs and the food he hunts down as soon as he hits the tarmac.
Favorite Southern city?
New Orleans, baby!
What place has inspired you the most creatively?
Senegal, my ancestral homeland.
Where do you go for fun?
I like to dance, so a spot with great music is where I like to go for fun. In New Orleans, I love a good night on Frenchmen Street.
Dream trip/destination?
Japan is a dream destination. I want to go explore the fish culture there.
What’s your packing style?
I fold my clothes very neatly into perfect squares. This accomplishes two things: It packs them tightly and prevents wrinkling.
Go-to travel gear or attire?
A sweat suit.
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?
Find the best pastries.
Favorite hotel in the world?
The Salamander in Middleburg, Virginia. It is such a cozy place with beautiful grounds.
Do you listen to podcasts or audiobooks while you travel? Any recs?
Yes, I do. I love motivational books and biographies. Viola Davis’s memoir, Finding Me, really inspired me.
Favorite road trip snack?
French fries, piping hot in a greasy bag.
Favorite mode of transportation?
A plane, flying direct, to my destination.
Rapid-fire!
Carry-on or checked?
Carry-on.
Aisle or window?
Aisle.
Hotel or rental (i.e., Airbnb)?
Hotel.
Repeat visit or somewhere new?
Somewhere new. I love exploring new things.
Planned to the hour or spontaneous adventure?
Spontaneous adventure. I like to go with my gut.
Grace Roberts, a 2025 intern at Garden & Gun, grew up in Pennington, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of St Andrews.
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