Raised in Bayou La Batre – Learned How the World Works in Boston – Navigating a New Adventure in SoCal!

Please visit Joe’s  Resume Page

With Bayou La Batre, AL roots and a commercial fisherman family history, I learned how Gulf Coast cuisine should taste and how to cook it.  My father captained the Sun Star, a 68-foot wooden shrimp boat built by Landry Boat Works.  Shrimp were sold from Florida to Texas, but business was mainly conducted in Bayou La Batre, AL, Golden Meadow, LA, and Delcambre, LA.  These places are where my food and fishing memories were created.  I was even considered to be a migrant in public school because of the amount of time spent away at various ports.

I believe that being Southern is truly something you are born and raised as, and you can’t escape it as much as you try.  It’s like a big ole’ birthmark; Even if you get it lasered off, it will reappear with the sun, nervousness, a few drinks, or a phone conversation with your mama.  It can never be completely concealed.  After moving to Boston and living there for 16 years, attempts to understand New England culture was thwarted by my persistent Southern roots.  I decided to embrace my roots, celebrate them and share them with others no matter where I live.

With a full heart, I invite you to my table through my Recipe Page and my Gumbo Journal.

Thank you for reading and your input is valuable.

 

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