Queen of the Palace

or Meg Bickford, food has been life’s driving force for as long as she can remember, from growing up in a family of eclectic Louisiana-bred cooks to an impressive professional start at legendary haute Creole eatery Commander’s Palace. She made headlines last October when she became the first female executive chef at Commander’s, but the roots that led her to this feat are as rich as the venerable history of the restaurant that produced renowned chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prudhomme, and Jamie