About the chef…
What is your background with Louisiana cuisine?
I grew up in a family that loved hunting and harvesting their own food and from that I grew into a love for culinary. I am a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and Baltimore's International Culinary College and have worked extensively in New Orleans and the Baton Rouge area.
What is your favorite local item to prepare and why?
My favorite Louisiana dish to prepare in a traditional New Orleans crawfish bisque, to me this dish encompasses what the melting pot of New Orleans truly was.
About the chef…
What is your background with Louisiana cuisine?
I was born and raised in Lafourche Parish in the deep south of Louisiana. Family foods were rich with ingredients fished from the bayous and fresh vegetables from local family farms. I took my basis of Louisiana cajun cookery along on my journey working my way up in many of the kitchens of New Orleans where I learned the nuances of creole cookery also.
What is your favorite local item to prepare and why?
The Louisiana tradition closest to my heart is the boucherie... not only for all of the amazing Louisiana-based pork dishes of sausages, head cheese, gratons, grillades, but also for the family and community value of the tradition.
About the chef…
What is your background with Louisiana cuisine?
I'm a native of Baton Rouge. My family has an extensive culinary background. My father was a military chef, and my mother was a self-taught chef until she completed culinary school. Coming up I learned to fish for blue catfish with a cane pole in our family pond and picked okra from the family garden. I also remember the special seasoning we put in all our dishes, "LOVE!"
What is your favorite local item to prepare and why?
My favorite local item to prepare are Louisiana blue crabs. I have family that frequents areas around Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge to go crabbing. When they return, I am given lagniappes of blue crabs. I make the most delicious Louisiana crab stew. Like we say in Louisiana, "C'est Si Bon!!" (It's so good)
