Tony Chachere

Who is Tony Chachere?

Tony Chachere is most commonly known as the founder of his eponymous Tony Chachere's Creole Foods seasonings and ingredients brand and its original product, Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning. He was the first inductee into the Louisiana Chefs Hall of Fame, receiving that honor in 1995, just one week before his death.

Prior to starting his food business, Chachere worked as a traveling drug salesman during the Great Depression. At age 30, he started his own drug wholesale business, the Louisiana Drug Company, with $100. At times working from his garage, he created his own elixirs, including Mamou Cough Syrup and Bon Soir Bug insect repellent. LADCO eventually became a million-dollar business, and Tony retired for the first time at age 50.

Two years later, Chachere began working for Equitable Life Insurance Society. He remained there for 13 years, making the Millionaires Club every year and being honored in the company's Hall of Fame. He retired for the second time at age 65.

In 1972, drawing upon a life of cooking for friends and family, Chachere published his first cookbook titled Cajun Country Cookbook which included the recipe that became his Original Creole Seasoning.