Chef's Groundbreaking Move Fills 86-Year Absence in New Orleans' Culinary Scene
In the heart of New Orleans, a city renowned for its rich culinary heritage, Dwynesha "Dee" Lavigne has made a significant impact as a chef and culinary educator. Her journey, marked by a deep connection to local food traditions and a commitment to storytelling, is a testament to resilience, cultural stewardship, and historic achievement.
Lavigne's professional life revolves around Deelightful Roux, a cooking school she runs, and the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, where she leads popular Creole cooking classes. These sessions, known for their informative and engaging nature, reflect her passion for sharing New Orleans' unique food culture [1][3].
Lavigne's ownership of Deelightful Roux School of Cooking holds historic significance. She is the first Black-owned cooking school in New Orleans in over 80 years, making her the second African American woman to own a cooking school in the city since 1937 [5]. This achievement places her among a select group of African American women who have broken through longstanding racial and gender barriers in the city's food industry.
New Orleans, despite its reputation as a culinary capital, has historically seen limited Black ownership and leadership in such institutions. Lavigne's position is, therefore, especially noteworthy [5]. Her work extends beyond teaching recipes—she is a culinary educator and storyteller, emphasizing the cultural roots and evolution of Creole and Southern cuisine [5]. By leading classes at a major culinary institution and through her own school, she preserves traditional techniques while making them accessible to new generations.
Lavigne's presence challenges the narrative of who gets to define and lead New Orleans cuisine, amplifying the contributions of Black chefs and educators who have historically been underrepresented in public culinary spaces. Her work is part of a broader movement to honour and expand the city's culinary heritage, while addressing past inequities in the industry.
Lavigne's story is intertwined with that of Chef Lena Richard, an influential figure in New Orleans' culinary scene. Richard opened her cooking school in 1937 specifically for Black students, teaching them the culinary skills and economic empowerment needed for employment in the Jim Crow South [4]. Richard went on to build an empire that included restaurants, catering businesses, and an international frozen food company [4].
The pandemic in 2020 significantly impacted Deelightful Roux School of Cooking [2]. However, Lavigne's resilience shone through, and she continued her work, operating her school three days a week and attracting culinary tourists [3]. Lavigne's first foray into the culinary world was not without its mishaps. A cooking disaster in Oklahoma led her to enroll in a culinary program [1].
Before her culinary journey, Lavigne was a native of New Orleans who moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, following her high school sweetheart, experiencing culture shock [1]. Uninspired by college, she initially wanted to be an accountant [1]. However, her life took a culinary turn when she enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York [1].
In 2016, Lavigne launched Deelightful Cupcakes, operating out of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum's commissary kitchen [3]. She has also been contacted by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to voice a podcast about Chef Lena Richard [6]. Lavigne continues to maintain a close friendship with Chef Lena Richard's granddaughter and works with the Smithsonian on projects that preserve and celebrate Richard's contributions [6].
In summary, Dee Lavigne is a New Orleans native who has emerged as a significant figure in the city’s culinary scene, both as a chef and as a culinary educator. Her historic achievement in owning a cooking school, her work in preserving and innovating Creole and Southern cuisine, and her advocacy for broader representation in the culinary world make her a trailblazer in the city's culinary landscape.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Historic Achievement | Second African American woman to own a cooking school in New Orleans since 1937; first Black-owned cooking school in over 80 years [5]. | | Culinary Role | Chef, culinary educator, storyteller; leads Creole cooking classes at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum and through Deelightful Roux [1][3][5]. | | Impact | Preserves and innovates Creole/Southern cuisine; increases visibility and leadership of Black women in New Orleans’ culinary scene [5]. |
- Dee Lavigne's cooking school, Deelightful Roux, is a significant Black-owned business in New Orleans, marking a historical achievement as the first Black-owned cooking school in over 80 years.
- As a culinary educator, Lavigne offers engaging Creole cooking classes at both the Southern Food & Beverage Museum and her own school, Deelightful Roux.
- By teaching cooking classes and preserving traditional techniques, Lavigne ensures that the rich food culture of New Orleans is passed down to new generations, promoting education and self-development in food-and-drink and travel.
- Lavigne's journey as a New Orleans chef and her ownership of Deelightful Roux School of Cooking align with the legacy of Chef Lena Richard, another influential African American cook from New Orleans, contributing to the preservation and expansion of the city's culinary heritage.
