Luigi’s has been featured on the national scene before, but never with Penelope Ballas-Stewart at the helm.
A story on the family-owned restaurant will be part of CBS Saturday Morning’s “The Dish” segment between 7 and 9 a.m. April 9.
“We’ve been featured before. We’ve been in ‘Golf Digest’ and in out-of-town newspapers,” she said.
Making preparations for anticipated Masters guests has kept Ballas-Stewart busy and distracted, and she didn’t realize how big of a deal the segment would be until the CBS crew showed up with all their equipment to shoot it.
They even took down the Coca-Cola clock that hangs on the wall because it ticked too loudly, she said.
MORE: Five generations have worked at Luigi’s
Ballas-Stewart said she prepared five or six entrees for sampling and answered questions about the business that was started by her great-grandfather in 1949.
The segment also highlights “the juke box, the pictures on the walls, the mural and the framed Masters badges we have,” she said.
And they wanted the dish on the famous people who’ve visited over the years.
One regular is Ben Crenshaw who comes with his wife, Julie.
“They are sweethearts,” Ballas-Stewart said.
Last year, Augusta National member and former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice had dinner at Luigi’s.
Ballas-Stewart especially remembers the year Dan Marino, the former Miami Dolphins’ quarterback, visited.
“I’m a huge football fan,” she said.
While there may be celebrity sightings this week, Ballas-Stewart said she’s hoping to welcome back those people who make the annual trip to Luigi’s during golf week.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it being a busy week,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
