Career
He was the first inductee into the Louisiana Chefs Hall of Fame, receiving that honor in 1995, just one week before his death. Drug salesman
During the Great Depression Chachere worked as a traveling drug salesman. At age 30, he started his own drug wholesale business, the Louisiana Drug Company (LADCO), with $100.
LADCO eventually became a million-dollar business, and Tony retired for the first time at age 50.
Insurance business
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. Cooking and writing
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.
Positive public response to the book led him to start Tony Chachere"s Creole Foods, which still operates today in Opelousas, Los Angeles, and makes a wide range of seasonings and mixes.
At age 76, he formally retired from the food business, but continued developing recipes and new food products. Tony is said to have been a vivid storyteller, avid cook and always full of life. In 1995, Chachere died just shy of his 90th birthday.
