Superstar chef Paul Prudhomme dies at 75

NEW ORLEANS -- Internationally-known superstar chef and restaurateur who brought new life to Cajun and Creole cuisine, Paul Prudhomme, has died, reports CBS affiliate WWLTV's Dominic Massa. He was 75.

Prudhomme was known for popularizing Cajun and Creole cuisine internationally and setting off a cooking craze in the 1980s, while also building a spice and food business empire, reports WWLTV.

A representative from K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, Prudhomme's restaurant, confirmed to WWLTV the chef died after a brief illness. The restaurant opened in the New Orleans French Quarter in 1979, taking part of his name and that of his late wife, Kay Hinrichs Prudhomme.

WWLTV reports that Prudhomme first garnered fame in New Orleans as the chef at Commander's Palace, where he, Ella and Dick Brennan revolutionized Creole cuisine. He became executive chef there in 1975, turning the landmark restaurant into a national treasure.

Prudhomme and his wife Kay are also credited with introducing the blackened redfish craze, which made the fish so popular that commercial fishing of the species became restricted in order to prevent it from going extinct, WWLTV reports. Prudhomme wrote nine cookbooks and hosted five national cooking shows on PBS, which were produced locally.

WWLTV reports that in the 1990s, he created his own line of all natural herbs and spices. Today, his brand of Magic Seasoning Blends and products is distributed in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries around the world.

Prudhomme was born and raised in Opelousas and was the youngest of 13 children. He was given the name Paul, but as a young man he went by the name Gene Autry Prudhomme, because of the famous singing cowboy.

In 1957, he opened his first restaurant in Opelousas. The restaurant was a hamburger joint called Big Daddy O's Patio. The restaurant went out of business in less than a year. He then moved to New Orleans, taking odd jobs in restaurants.

WWLTV reports that he moved back to New Orleans for jobs at Le Pavillion Hotel and Maison duPuy. Television personality Terry Flettrich, along with Ella Brennan, are credited with first "discovering" Prudhomme, first as a cooking school teacher with them, and then a superstar chef.

In 2005, Prudhomme appeared on the then CBS News' "The Early Show," after Hurricane Katrina. He had over 100 employees adversely affected by the Hurricane. He fed thousands of soldiers, and maintained a positive attitude about New Orleans, appearing on CBS News to discuss.

"We have to come back," he said at the time about his beloved city. "This is the city of America; this is a city with character. This is a city with people who love to entertain and cook. We have something here that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. We are going to take it back. One little storm ain't doing us no harm. We are taking it back, baby!"

When he turned 55, Prudhomme decided he had to lose weight, he told "The Early Show," in 2005. He slimmed down from 560 pounds to just 220.

"I eat everything," he said. "Just not as much of it."

As a national celebrity and award winning chef, Prudhomme was featured on TV, in magazines and did many interviews. WWLTV reports that he has cooked for members of Congress, heads of state and international celebrities, as well as donating his time for non-profit causes and fundraisers.

In his 2005 interview with CBS, he ended his interview with, "Good cooking, good eating, good lovin'. We love you guys."

Prudhomme is survived by his wife, Lori.

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