First things first- I’m Liza, a cook not a writer. So let’s not be too critical from the get-go. I haven’t taken a writing course in ages, but I did attend culinary school in NYC after deciding to make a career out of cooking for others. These days I’m living in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Before Argentina happened….
I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, (hence NOLAchef) by far one of the greatest city in the good ole U.S.A. My grandfather had an Italian grocery store in the French Quarter and my dad was in the pizza business. Needless to say, I ate good and a lot.
In 2005 Hurricane Katrina moved me to New York City where I spent five wonderful years.
I needed a break from the dreadful Northern winter so I headed to Southern California for a few months, give beach life a chance. There I became a vegetarian and started researching the power of food, something I’m completely fascinated with. I decided I wanted to improve peoples lives through food, make a career out of it.
So I drove back to NYC and began my culinary adventures. I enrolled in the culinary arts program at FCI while working in a Mexican kitchen at Hecho en Dumbo in the east village by day. It was food 24/7 between the restaurant hours and night classes. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Mostly.
In 2010 I took off for 6 weeks in Central America, my first backpacking experience. Along the way I met an animator from Argentina and we wound up traveling together for 5 MONTHS. At some point between Colombia and the North of Argentina we fell in love and have been together ever since. We reside in Buenos Aires and have opened a small restaurant called Nola.
It’s my first time living abroad and I am loving every minute of it! This blog started as a project to keep me motivated in the kitchen and stay in touch with friends and family back home without having to rely on facebook. It’s been such a positive experience and has led me to meet so many interesting people. I don’t think I’ll ever stop!
If you need to contact me write to NOLAchefinfo@gmail.com or follow me on twitter here.
Gracias!






Nice to see a student of The French Culinary Institute, share nices recipes.
a french cooker Chantal
http://www.macuisineetvous.com
Merci Chantal!
Hello Nola,
i really enjoy your page.
If you want to eat a good Falafel in Buenos Aires, you can try Falafel One, in Araoz 587, one block from Salgado. Is runned by Roula, a sharming sirian woman
Thanks, Romina! I’ll absolutely check it out. I could use a good falafel in this city! Disfruta el dia!
I love reading your blog!! Can’t wait to visit BA!!
xx
Baby Lady and I truly enjoyed Buenos Aires when we were there in October 2010. It’s a lovely city, with good food and choripan is one of my favorites. We stayed in Palermo Viejo at Hotel Ulta. It was a wonderful trip. We met some very nice people. ate some fabulous foods, drank very nice wines and saw the sights. We look forward to reading your blog.
Hola Richard! Thanks for stopping by. I too am a lover of the choripan, EMPANADAS and people. Hope you and Baby Lady are well!
mmm yum – really looking forward to following your blog – sounds a heady mix – new orleans and argentina – like the sound of blueberry chipotle sauce! keri – humble cottage
Thanks, Keri! It is a feisty mix! AND YES, blueberry chipotle jam!
Hi Nola! Thank you so much for visiting and following my site. I’d love to see more of the food you make. That GOOD MORNING biscuit sandwich sure is interesting. You know what, I’ll show your blog to one of my friends who’s also a chef but could not get enough inspiration to continue her blogging. I’m sure she’ll be able to follow your good example. Looking forward on your next post!
Oats
Thanks Oats! I’m sure she just needs a little tasty inspiration! Love your photographs!
I think so too. Keep up the good work.
hey nola where yat? here is a big hello from another new orleanian that the tides of life turned up in buenos aires. i’ve ‘been living here 17 (!) years now. would love to get to taste your cookin — when might you do another new orleanian gig in town?
HI!! So glad you wrote! Thursday night (el 7) I will be hosting a Mexican night in Palermo that is open to the public. Saturday (el 9) I will be serving NOLA red beans & rice at the BA Underground Market that the Argentina Independent is hosting! You coming?!!
Sounds like an adventure in life. Congrats on the move, and look forward to reading more of your posts.
Thanks!! It has been quite the adventure!
I have enjoyed reading your blog and have nominated you for the Sunshine Award as your recipes always bring a little sunshine into my life. Thanks for taking the time to share.
More information is available at http://remcooks.com/awardsacknowledgments/
I ALWAYS wanted to eat at a “puerta cerrada” restaurant. I didn´t know the owner had a blog! Will definitely make a reservation!
Excellent!!!
LIZA your site -let alone your spirit, and ideas- is absolutely wonderful!!!!
Absolutely loving all of it. And don’t be too modest; your writing is as brilliant as your experimental dishes are.
fave section: DEALS ON MEALS.
… remember me whenever cooking up spicy things, and make a note!! I’ll be having it all, thankyouverymuch.
=)
How amazingly kind you are, Leila!!
Thanks for lifting my spirits as I slave away over Bolillo bread in the kitchen this morning!
More DEALS ON MEALS coming soon.
<3
I’m super excited to have found this blog! I’m a displaced Brooklynite spending the next 5 months in BA and am thrilled to have found food recommendations from another New Yorker and foodie. Your Puerta and Cerrada and Tegui have just jumped to the top of my short list!
And by “Puerta and Cerrada” I meant Puerta Cerrada.
Rock on!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Put your email up there please
Glad to know you.
Likewise! Let’s chow down on some tasty pork soon!
you rock!
Gracias, Pablo!
Right out of the HBO series Treme
Hello Liza, we are an Austrian event agency organizing an event in BsAs in November and would like to include Puertas Cerradas Dining. When looking for places I found your blog here (and I am fascinated by your story). How many people can you serve in your restaurant?
Thank you for coming back to me!
Hola Silvio!
Thank you for the comment! We can accommodate up to 22 people at NOLA. Feel free to write me at NOLAbuenosaires@gmail.com. Have a great day!
Thank you for the quick response Liza!