Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

Blind Kitchen: Chef Jason Gentles vs Chef Yesenia Melo

By Mary Staes / February 17, 2022

In this episode, Jason Gentles, executive chef of Sahel Restaurant & Lounge in Lowell, and Yesenia Melo, chef/owner of Jessy’s Clean Meals in Lawrence, face off to see who can recreate each other’s signature dish. 

My Amazing Cheap Date: Riverfront Fun and Coffee in New Orleans

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

My Amazing Cheap Date” explores fun, romantic, unique things that can be done in New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Vietnamese Cuisine, and Local Brew

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

“My Amazing Cheap Date” takes viewers through a variety of fresh, fun, and charming date ideas in the great city of New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Viet-Cajun Fusion and Time in Nature

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

My Amazing Cheap Date” brings viewers along for inventive date ideas in beautiful New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: macaroons, stand-up comedy in New Orleans

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

“My Amazing Cheap Date” takes viewers through a variety of fresh, fun, and charming date ideas in the great city of New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Unique Museums, Drinks and Entertainment

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

My Amazing Cheap Date” takes viewers through a variety of fresh, fun, and charming date ideas in the great city of New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Funky Art and Tacos in New Orleans

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

“My Amazing Cheap Date” takes viewers through a variety of fresh, fun, and charming date ideas in the great city of New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Hatchet Throwing, Board Games, and Tacos

By Mary Staes / February 14, 2022

“My Amazing Cheap Date” explores fun, romantic and unique things that can be done in New Orleans — all for $50 or less.

Eat Play Stay Lake Charles

Eat Play Stay: Lake Charles, Louisiana

By Mary Staes / February 10, 2022

Located a little over three hours from New Orleans and just over the East Texas-Louisiana border, Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nature walks, Cajun restaurants, breweries and a bustling art scene.

My Amazing Cheap Date: Unique Drinks, Pet Lovers and Barbecue

By Mary Staes / February 10, 2022

In this episode, two couples compete to see who can have the best date for $50 or less.