In 2005, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton was honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for “America’s Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region.” This changed everything; bringing it from a local neighborhood eatery to a nationally recognized restaurant. Unfortunately, just after receiving the award, Hurricane Katrina came and caused severe damage to the restaurant. With the help of the Southern Foodways Alliance and many other organizations, we were able to reopen in 2007. Thus, bringing recognition from the Food Network and the Travel Channel as “America’s Best Fried Chicken.” Today, Kerry Seaton Stewart, Ms. Willie Mae’s great-granddaughter now runs the operation that’s still serving up “America’s Best Fried Chicken." It is located in New Orleans’ 6th Ward just blocks from the historic Treme Neighborhood and the French Quarter.