Opelousas native Jude Tauzin had the classic cook’s upbringing. He learned at the knees of his mother and grandmother, preparing the kind of southern homestyle meals that pique every hungry boy's interest in the kitchen. The bug stayed with him, and after a year of training toward becoming a radiologist, Tauzin dropped out of school to pursue a career as a cook. Now head chef and owner of Catahoula's in Grand Coteau, Tauzin has just been named one of Louisiana Cooking Magazine’s Chefs to Watch.
The annual honor highlights five up-and-coming young chefs crafting some of the state’s most delectable menus. Honorees must have less than five years at their current jobs, and Louisiana Cooking anonymously visits each nominee’s restaurant before making its final selections. Tauzin was the only Acadiana chef chosen.
The four other honorees include three New Orleans chefs: Spencer Minch of Emeril’s Delmonico, Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Susan Zemanick of Gautreaux’s, along with Shreveport chef David Bridges, representing Bella Fresca. The chefs are all featured in the August issue of Louisiana Cooking, out on newsstands now. They will also be honored at an upcoming awards dinner and fundraiser for Café Reconcile, a nonprofit that helps train inner city kids for a life in the restaurant business.