Justin Wilson (chef) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justin Wilson
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Wilson before a table of Cajun foods
|
|
| Born |
Justin E. Wilson
April 24, 1914 Roseland, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Died | September 5, 2001 (aged 87) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Port Vincent Community Cemetery. Port Vincent, Livingston Parish, Louisiana |
| Occupation | Safety engineer |
| Known for | Cajun-inspired humorist and chef |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Parent(s) |
|
| Relatives | Brother-in-law Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr., Louisiana Attorney General (1948-1952) |
Justin E. Wilson (born April 24, 1914 – died September 5, 2001) was a famous American chef and storyteller from the Southern United States. He was well-known for his funny Cajun-style humor and delicious Cajun-inspired cooking. Justin Wilson became a household name through his popular cooking shows and cookbooks, where he shared his love for Cajun culture.
Contents
Justin Wilson: Chef and Storyteller
Justin Wilson was born in Roseland, Louisiana, which is near Amite City, Louisiana. He was one of seven children. His father, Harry D. Wilson, was an important politician in Louisiana. He served as the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry for many years. Justin's mother, Olivette Wilson, was a talented cook and musician. She taught Justin how to cook and improvise meals.
From Safety Engineer to Humorist
Justin Wilson started his career as a safety engineer. He traveled around Acadiana, a region in Louisiana, giving safety talks to workers. He noticed that his audiences sometimes got bored. To make his talks more interesting, he began to add funny stories and jokes inspired by the Cajun people he grew up with. This is how he became a popular storyteller.
He once explained:
Way back when I first started as a safety engineer, I took myself pretty seriously, and I found I was putting my audiences to sleep. So having lived all my life among the Cajuns of Louisiana, and having a good memory for the patois and the type of humor Cajuns go for, I started interspersing my talks on safety with Cajun humor.
Justin Wilson became famous for his unique humor. He often used the funny catchphrase, "I gar-on-tee!" (which means "I guarantee!"). He recorded several comedy albums, sharing his stories with a wider audience. He even appeared on the popular TV show The Ed Sullivan Show.
Cooking Shows and Cookbooks
Justin Wilson was not just a comedian; he was also a talented chef. He wrote seven cookbooks filled with Cajun recipes. He also hosted several cooking shows on television, especially on Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). These shows combined his love for cooking with his famous humor. Many of his shows were filmed in New Orleans.
In 1997, he released a cookbook called "Looking Back." This book brought together his first two cookbooks and added new photos. It also included notes on how his cooking methods had changed over time. A TV series with the same name was also made. It showed his very first cooking programs from 1971, with new introductions by Justin himself.
Southern author Harnett T. Kane once said that Justin Wilson was excellent at showing what the Louisiana Cajun people were like. He did it in a very skillful and entertaining way.
Justin Wilson's Political Involvement
Justin Wilson's father was a well-known politician, so Justin was also involved in politics when he was younger. In the early 1950s, he helped manage a political campaign for William J. "Bill" Dodd, who was then the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. Justin and Dodd were good friends, even if they sometimes had different ideas about politics. Justin's brother-in-law, Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr., was also a politician, serving as the Attorney General of Louisiana.
Justin Wilson was known for his love of patriotic themes. He often helped with political campaigns in Louisiana. For example, he volunteered to make a commercial for a politician named Don W. Williamson.
Personal Life
Justin Wilson had one son and three daughters: Harry D. Wilson II, Sara Sue, Pam, and Menette. He spent his later years living in Summit, Mississippi.
Justin Wilson passed away on September 5, 2001, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, due to heart failure. He is buried in the Port Vincent Community Cemetery in Port Vincent, Louisiana.
Discography (Partial List)
Justin Wilson recorded many comedy albums during his career. Here are some of them:
- The Humorous World of Justin Wilson, Ember (1960)
- I Gawr-On-Tee, Project Records (1961)
- Justin Wilson's Wilsonville U.S. and A. (1965)
- How Y'all Are! (1967)
- Whooooo Boy (196?)
- Justin Wilson Says, "Me, I got a frien'!" (196?)
- The Wondermus Humor Of Justin Wilson (196?)
- Hunting With Justin Wilson (1972)
- Justin Wilson, The Old Master Story Teller (1972)
- Justin Wilson Meets Jean (John) Barleycorn (1973)
- A Cajun Christmas with Justin Wilson (1973)
- The Sport (1974)
- Justifyin' Justin Wilson (1975)
- Justin Wilson Reading Christmas Stories (1975)
- Caught Dem Fish (1979)
- Courtin' Songs (1979)
- Christmas Cajun Style (1979)
- Laugh A Little With Justin Wilson (198?)
- Truckin' With Justin Wilson (1980)
- Justin Wilson's Ol Favorites (1982)
- The Unforgettable Stories Of Justin Wilson (1985)
- Pass(ing) A Good Time With Justin Wilson (1986)
- The Crazy Cajun Comedy Of Justin Wilson (1987)
- Shot Dem Duck and Hunt (1996)
- If It Ain't Fun, Don't Do It (200?)
- Justin's Picks (200?)
- Cajun King of Comedy (2009)
