Welcome to my world of cooking!

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.