We’ve gotten juicy in previous episodes, but never this tasty.

Few Provo residents are as passionate about food as Jack Mergist. The creative director at Big Door, a downtown Provo ad agency, really knows his way around a kitchen, and hosts “Jack’s Gonna Have Some Downtown Provo Eats,” a web series sponsored by Downtown Provo, Inc. that showcases downtown restaurants. (He’s also a stellar musician, actor and carpenter.)

We sat down with Mergist to discuss the best places to eat in Utah County. In so doing, we also learned the secrets of authentic Cajun gumbo and the deeper reasons behind Mergist’s culinary passion.

“I have this insatiable appetite to express myself,” Mergist said. “And the way I express myself, or find fuel to express myself, is through consumption of other things. And food is one of those things for me.”

Play the audio below to listen, or find “What Say Ye?” in iTunes.