JASON FONTENOT

CHEF OF THE MONTH

"My two favorite chefs are my wife and mother. I have learned a lot from them."

JASON

FONTENOT

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

A. My name is Jason Fontenot. I am the owner and operator of Louisiana & Southern “Q”uisine. I cater events and also provide personal chef services.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today?

A. I was born and raised in Mandeville Louisiana, which is a suburb of New Orleans. I moved to Georgia when I was 20 to become an electrician, which I did. After doing that I decided to go back to school to become a teacher and coach. I’ve been doing that the last 7 years. During my time as a teacher I would cook for the school staff, and I love cooking at home too. During the pandemic I decide to take my love of cooking to the next level and start this business.

Q. Let’s talk about “Louisiana & Southern “Q”uisine and the motivation behind it?

A. Well, I wanted to take steps to share the food I love cooking with others and make some money doing it. I have cooked for the staff at my school and for fundraisers for my basketball teams. My coworkers loved my food and some encouraged me turn my passion into a business. The name for my business came to me one morning while thinking about starting this endeavor. I am an LSU fan and I love cooking with my smoker. I married the two and came up with LSQ, the Q being for BBQ. Then L of course is for Louisiana and S for my southern roots.

Q. Can you share how the pandemic has helped or hurt your business?

A. The pandemic has helped my business and what services I offer. My original idea was to provide catering for events, but because of Covid, large gatherings were put on hold. I was able to adapt my business model and provide personal chef services. I had opportunities to serve people in the comfort of their own homes and provide a more intimate dining experience.

Q. What is your favorite dish or dessert that you love to make?

A. My favorite dish to make is red beans and jambalaya with fried fish or chicken. That is my staple dish and a favorite to most of my family and friends.

Q. Tell us what your biggest challenge is being a chef?

A. It’s balancing my job as a teacher, my family, and making time to cook for events. So, I would say time management.

Q. Who are some chefs that motives you?

A. Well, I love Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay. My two favorite chefs are my wife and mother. I have learned a lot from them. My wife is very adventurous with her cooking and my mother taught me how to make red beans and jambalaya.

Q. Where do you see your company in the next three years?

A. In three years, I hope to have a list of loyal clients and find events to cater annually. I would like to be working towards having a food truck.

Q. Are you working on any new projects or upcoming events?

A. At this time, I am working on a pop-up event in South Carolina with my cousin. We are going to have dinner and entertainment in a nice venue up there.

Q. Where can the readers follow you?

A. Readers can follow me on IG @ LSQuisine and Facebook with the same handle name.