INDReporter

Noted chef Hallman Woods III dies

by Leslie Turk

Former Le Rosier chef who cooked at the James Beard House and was named one of the "Best New Chefs in America" by Food & Wine magazine in 1995 was 48.

Noted New Iberia chef Lambert Hallman Woods III died Friday, Nov. 14. No cause of death was released.

He was 48.

Friends are invited to visit and remember Woods, who went by his middle name, from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday at Pellerin Funeral Home at 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd. in New Iberia.

Except for short periods, Woods was a lifelong resident of New Iberia and was a graduate of Catholic High in New Iberia, Loyola University in New Orleans and Northwestern Louisiana University.

In the 1990s, he was well-known as the chef at Le Rosier and garnered national attention for the restaurant in 1995 when he was among nine chefs from New York to San Francisco named by Food & Wine magazine as one of the "Best New Chefs in America."

Widely known for his culinary excellence and originality, he was invited on several occasions to prepare special occasion dinners at the James Beard Foundation House in New York City and also cooked in Chicago, Las Vegas and Napa Valley. He was featured in numerous publications and videos.

Woods is survived by his parents, Lambert Hallman Woods Jr. and MaryBeth Stich Woods; brother Stevens Woods of Columbus, Ga., and his family; and sister Virginia Woods of Lafayette and her son.

He is also sorely missed by his beloved dog Gabby.

To view online obituary and sign guestbook, click here.