Conversations with Brandon Duplessis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Duplessis.

Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in New Orleans, boiled seafood was always the staple meal at every single family cookout. Whereas in other places people serve BBQ and fried foods, we always gather around a sack of crawfish in New Orleans. It was easy for me to learn to cook a very flavorful pot and I was able to create my own formula for the taste as I cooked for my family. When I moved to Atlanta, I did not want to lose that authenticity of the New Orleans seafood boil. Especially after visiting some of the restaurants here, my mind was set on bringing that authentic taste to Atlanta. This is where Bego’s seafood came from. I feel like there is no reason why people should have to go to New Orleans for good seafood. I brought that vibe right here to Jonesboro.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. My wife is big on business building and branding, so she had that down pact. I had the ingredients together so that every single pot would be perfect. But the biggest issue was getting people who are used to a different type of seafood experience to want to each the New Orleans style food. I have gotten so many negative or scared reactions from people seeing crawfish for the first time that I have found myself being an educator in crawfish eating. The hardest part is getting people to try something new, but every time they do, it’s all good. People get excited to eat more.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of Bego’s Seafood. My business is focused on serving authentic New Orleans style boiled seafood to the people in Atlanta. I specialize in boiled crabs and shrimp, specifically Blue Crabs. I have my own boiling powder brand and my own special formula for making the perfect pot. I’m known for my slogan “Head Suckin’ Good Seafood” and for my viral cooking videos on social media.

Bego’s Seafood is a real family-owned pop-up business. I am the face and the chef and my wife does a lot of the work behind the scenes. My sons and daughter support when we have pop-up events. I am most proud of the ability to start something for my sons. Raising black boys is a scary thing and thinking about showing my son legit ways to live life and generate income is extremely important for me. I did not have the easiest upbringing or really good role models, other than my big brothers, to show me how to really grind the right way. The fact that I can be that for my sons, and even my daughter, is why I do this. Like, my sons can say “Daddy moved to a whole new city and took something he did for free at home and turned it into income”. That’s an accomplishment for me.

I have recently purchased a food truck and am in the renovation process for bringing it on the road. I want to open a restaurant/lounge in Atlanta soon, merging my wife’s cooking with my seafood boiling skills. I feel such freedom being able to share my talents with boiling and having people wanting to spend money to actually try some of my food out.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In 2022 every day is a risk! There are so many things going on that can negatively impact your life. From the high gas prices to the high-interest rates on homes, to the possibility of catching Covid, every single action is a risk. I’m not scared of risk-taking and I never have been. I always think, what could happen that’s worse than not doing something. I hosted a pop-up a few months back. I was brand new on the scene, my team came in all the way from New Orleans to help me. We used social media to promote the event. I spent a lot of money on supplies and was blind to the guest list. I had no clue who was coming or what they were going to say when they saw plates of my seafood being sold. It was a risk from the beginning but I ended up booking three gigs for going into that situation blind and embracing that risk. I could have easily said “I’m not ready” but you know what, I didn’t and I do not regret it.

Pricing:

• Seafood Catering-Market Price
• 5 LB Seafood Boil Bag-$25

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/begosseafood/