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O h, and did I mention he was also an avid outdoorsman, tremendous writer, cookbook author, one-time X-ray techni cian and spice-making entrepreneur? And that, after his passing in 2013, he was honored for his foundational place in South Louisiana history when the I-10 Twin Span Bridge that links Orleans Parish and St. Tammany Parish was officially renamed the Frank Davis “Naturally N’Awlins” Memorial Bridge? Like I said, a true renaissance man. No matter the medium, whenever Frank Davis shared a recipe, it was like he was chatting with you about it over a cup of coffee, not bringing the idea down from a culinary ivory tower. And no other time of year better reflected his desire to share his collection of classic-but-creative, memory making recipes than around the holidays, or as they’re better known among, ahem, Frank -ophiles: Franksgiving and Naturally Noel. “Frank Davis was the icon at WWL but, every Tuesday morning starting in the 1980s, he would be in the kitchen cooking. At

By Sarah Baird Ask anyone to make a list of renais sance men of the 20th century in New Orleans, and media legend Frank Davis would undoubtedly be near the top of the list. A four-decade fixture on both radio and television for WWL, Frank not only served as a wellspring of, and reflection for, neighborhood culture in the Crescent City on the small screen and airwaves, but worked to redefine how audiences approach recipe development and familiar ingredients in their own kitchen, providing the sort of authentic, familial approach to home cooking in his broadcasts that had yet to be seen locally with his “Naturally N’Awlins!” warmth and innate storytelling abilities.

certain times of the year, he would do special themes, like Franksgiving during Thanks giving and Naturally Noel — a take on his ‘Naturally N’Awlins’ catchphrase — during Christmas,” remembers Dominic Massa, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for WYES-TV and author of the 2008 book, New Orleans Television . “During Franksgiving, he would also print up recipe booklets, and people would be excited to get those to have the special recipes for the holiday. He would put together a whole menu for his Franksgiving feast, so it would be the side dishes, a special way to do the turkey, dessert…and whatever else he came up with.” Massa recalls that the term “Franks giving” — what he calls a “perfect name” for Frank’s spin on the Thanksgiving holiday — was created by the promotions team at WWL, who also dreamed up other now- venerated messaging concepts, like the “Spirit of Louisiana” to promote the state’s rich musical heritage and “Bless You Boys” for, of course, the New Orleans Saints. “Frank was such a fixture, and he oozed New Orleans and South Louisiana. Because

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