C'est Bon | My Culinary Journey

Welcome to My Culinary World

Welcome to a place where food isn’t just about taste—it’s about connection, history, and love. This cookbook is more than a collection of recipes; it’s a tribute to my personal journey in the kitchen, shaped by the rich flavors and traditions of my Creole and Cajun roots. Each page is a reflection of my family’s story, and every recipe tells a tale of heritage, growth, and the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.

For over 32 years, I’ve been on a culinary journey, tracing the vibrant flavors of Louisiana from my family’s roots in New Orleans and Mansura. In my kitchen, gumbo steams alongside étouffée, jambalaya blends with boudin, and every dish has a story to tell. Growing up, I was entranced by the sounds of Magnalite pots and the mouthwatering smells that filled my grandmother’s kitchen. Those early years, spent learning from her, were my foundation, shaping my approach to food and cooking.

Though I am proud to be a self-taught chef, my time at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute allowed me to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of the techniques that make cooking an art. This formal education complemented the rich traditions I learned in my family’s kitchen, giving me the tools to blend classic techniques with my own creative twist.

Much of what I know comes from sitting on my grandmother’s kitchen floor, sorting through faded recipe cards that tell the story of generations before me. We’d spend hours preparing meals, with Tupperware bowls full of fresh, garden-grown ingredients and the soft glow of the kitchen lights around us. Although I couldn’t yet handle the stove, I learned the essence of cooking from the heart—the importance of patience, flavor, and love in every dish.

Now, I’m excited to share my passion for cooking with you at Foodie Tasting Room in Jefferson, Texas. This space is a dream come true, where I can inspire others to explore their culinary creativity, learn new skills, and connect with the deep traditions that have influenced my journey.

This cookbook is a testament to my evolution in the kitchen—an anthology of flavors, textures, and stories that reflect a lifetime of learning. From the comforting embrace of Shrimp Creole, passed down from my grandmother, to the bold creativity of my own signature dishes, every recipe in this book represents a chapter in my culinary adventure.

But this book is more than just food; it’s about the connections that food fosters. It’s about remembering our roots, sharing our culture, and passing down traditions that bring us together. With every dish I create, I honor the generations that have come before me and celebrate the power of food to unite us across time and space.

As I sit surrounded by notebooks of scribbled recipes and the joyful chaos of my kitchen, I reflect on the journey that has brought me here. This cookbook is a reflection of my heart—each recipe is a piece of who I am, a celebration of the people, places, and flavors that have shaped me into the chef I am today.

With every dish I share, I do so with gratitude—for the journey, for the flavors that have nurtured me, and for the love that infuses every meal. Cooking is more than just preparing food; it’s a way to connect, to tell stories, and to create memories. My hope is that as you explore these recipes, you’ll not only learn new techniques but also feel the love and tradition behind each dish.

I am so excited to share this culinary journey with you. Each recipe, each story, and each flavor is a part of my soul, and I can’t wait for you to experience the joy that comes from cooking and sharing meals with those you love.

A Journey Through My Restaurants

Inspired by my roots, I went on to open four restaurants: The Nook and Around the Corner in Shreveport, Louisiana; Dixie in Greenwood, Louisiana; and Yard Bird Southern Table & Market in Waskom, Texas. These establishments were my love letter to Southern cooking—places where I could serve comforting, creative dishes and celebrate the rich traditions of my heritage.

Each restaurant was a reflection of my passion for bringing people together. At The Nook, I created a cozy space for busy professionals to enjoy home-cooked meals on the go. At Around the Corner, I embraced bold flavors and Southern classics with a twist. Dixie was a celebration of the community, offering comfort food like juicy burgers and chicken and waffles. And at Yard Bird, I honored my Creole and Cajun roots, showcasing the depth of Louisiana cuisine with farm-to-table dishes like gumbo, crawfish, po’boys, and more. Through these spaces, I poured my heart into creating environments where food, family, and friendship could thrive.

Now, through this cookbook, I invite you to recreate those experiences in your own kitchen, and hopefully, share the same warmth, flavor, and connection that my restaurants did.

Let’s cook, share, and create lasting memories together. Every dish is an invitation to be a part of my story—and I can’t wait for you to experience the love and flavor in every bite.