In high school, Andre' began to work in the industry, first as a fifteen-year-old grill cook, then as a catering cook at Crokett's receptions in Baton Rouge. At age 17, Andre' spent his summer as Pantry Chef at the respected Baton Rouge Country Club. By age 18, Andre' figured out he could supplement his income in the kitchen, and while attending the Conservatory, he worked evenings as a Pasta Chef at the famed Fedora Bar and Grill on the plaza in Kansas CIty, Mo.
Continuing his education in Michigan, Andre' continued to work in the industry on the line at Baker Brothers in Kalamazoo.... but it would be one party in Chicago, Illinois that would change everything. Being asked to cater a party for 250 people in Winnetka, Andre' flew in a host of support personnel, as well as 500 pounds of fresh seafood and ingredients from South Louisiana. Presenting an authentic creole menu, he became a sensation on the North Side of Chicago, catering some 18 events in the next 12 months. Working as a jingle writer and singer, it was then Andre' and wife Jami left their jobs to open their own restaurant, Beignet's Louisiana Kitchen, located in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast.
Built from a shell of 4 white walls, Andre', then 26 years old, designed a commercial kitchen to code from the ground up. Utilizing new and reconditioned equipment, the open kitchen proved functional and eye pleasing as customers ventured into the restaurant and peerer into an open kitchen to watch their favorite dishes come to life. Smells of Gumbo, Red Beans, Jambalaya, Catfish and Shrimp Poboys, Crawfish Etoufee' and Maple Bread Pudding would greet hungry stomachs at the door. Wife Jami would design a traditional dining room with a "cajun cabin" feel, draped with moss and 1,000 pounds of barn wood harvested from Wisconsin.
Within months, the restaurant gained enormous popularity, and would see it's numbers soar. Two hour waits were common on weekend nights, as Andre' would boil 800 pounds of live crawfish on the sidewalk at State and Chestnut. Within a year, the spot was named "Top 10 Restaurants in Chicago Under $10" by the Chicago Sun Times, and was featured on Fox TV, as well as numerous radio stations. In 1994 Andre' and Jami sold their interest in the restaurant and moved to Los Angeles, California.
After several successful catering events in LA, Andre' is ready to return to his first love of cooking..... and with his passion and dedication to the art of Louisiana cooking, the people of
Los Angeles have reason to celebrate.
