I was born in St. Martinville, La. After graduation from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana in Lafayette, La.), I was hired as a feature writer for THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, leaving in 1971 to work as a researcher and consultant for Time-Life Books, contributing to the FOODS OF THE WORLD; AMERICAN COOKING, CREOLE AND ACADIAN, and THE AMERICAN WILDERNESS; THE BAYOUS.
Professionally, I have enjoyed working as catering director and consultant to restaurant owners and chefs such as Commander's Palace, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans and Brennan's of Houston. From 1981-1984, Chez Marcelle a charming restaurant near Lafayette, La. was my brain child and was enjoyed by many locals.
As a food editor, I have contributed to such publications as FOOD AND WINE, SOUTHERN LIVING, REDBOOK, THE NEW YORK TIMES, SAVEUR, and in several local and regional newspapers and magazines. Since 1984, I have written a weekly food column "Cooking Creole" for THE TIMES-PICAYUNE in New Orleans. My contributions to Louisiana Cookin', Acadian Profile, The Forum, and CityLife magazines are seen regularly.
As an editor, my name is included in the 1987 edition of the THE PICAYUNE'S CREOLE COOK BOOK, originally published in 1901 and reissued in 1987 to celebrate the newspaper's 150th anniversary.
My first book, WHO'S YOUR MAMA, ARE YOU CATHOLIC AND CAN YOU MAKE A ROUX? was published in 1991. A sequel of the same name was published in 1998. The first book had been out of print for almost three years but has been recently republished.
As co-author I worked with Emeril Lagasse, LOUISIANA REAL & RUSTIC, EMERIL'S CREOLE CHRISTMAS, EMERIL'S TV DINNERS and EVERDAY'S A PARTY, published by William Morrow and Company. I also contributed to EMERIL PRIMETIME, FROM EMERIL'S KITCHENS, EMERIL'S POTLUCK, AND EMERIL'S DELMONICO: A RESTAURANT WITH A PAST.
Emeril and I worked together from 1992 to September 2005 on various special projects but my position was terminated after Hurricane Katrina.
I am also the author of CAJUN COOKING FOR BEGINNERS published by Acadian House Publishing.
I co-authored, with Eula Mae Dore, EULA MAE'S CAJUN KITCHEN, published by Harvard Common Press and released in 2002 and also co-authored, with Carl Brasseaux and Ryan Brasseaux, STIR THE POT: THE TRUE STORY OF CAJUN CUISINE, published by Hippocrene and released in September 2005.
My home is on Bayou Teche in St. Martinville, Louisiana, with my husband, Rock Lasserre.
