Zeeland Street owner Stephanie Phares was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in 2024, the same year The New York Times recognized her Baton Rouge restaurant in its “Restaurants List 2024.”
She started out hosting potluck dinners, which transitioned to a deli, which led to her opening the restaurant in 1992. During the pandemic, she prepared plate lunches for her elderly neighbors near the restaurant in exchange for fresh rosemary.
Phares completed treatment this year and received “encouraging news” from her doctors.
She credits much of her recovery to eating fresh, homemade food and maintaining a healthy routine…