[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING COOK ME SOMETHIN' MISTER

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, oftentimes small businesses are 
grown out of a desire to help folks in their communities. It is 
especially encouraging to see this after a catastrophic natural 
disaster. As we honor National Women's Small Business Week, I would 
like to recognize Cook Me Somethin' Mister of New Orleans, LA, as Small 
Business of the Week.
  In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, a recent 
college graduate named Kristen Preau was approached by her employer, 
the University of New Orleans Athletic Department, to come up with a 
way to generate much-needed funding for the school. Preau took to what 
she knew best: her family's beloved jambalaya recipe. Raising $100,000 
in just 3 months at college tailgating events across the country, Preau 
knew she had a hit. Over the next few years, Preau--known for much of 
her life as the ``Jambalaya Girl''--perfected and expanded her 
seasonings, which were selling as quickly as they were stocked on the 
shelves of local grocery stores. Having roots firmly planted in the 
Louisiana culinary scene, Preau's family were some of the first folks 
to cook and serve jambalaya at the French Quarter Fest in New Orleans's 
famous Jackson Square. The family also enjoyed a close relationship 
with the late, world famous Cajun Chef Paul Prudhomme who had a hand in 
blending the ``Jambalaya Girl's'' seasonings.
  Today, Preau's operation has grown into full-time endeavor with five 
full-time employees producing the ``Jambalaya Girl's'' products in her 
hometown of New Orleans. Enjoying great success, Kristen and her 
jambalaya have gained national recognition and was recently named a Top 
100 Small Business in the country for 2015 by the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce, the Louisiana Small Business Administration's, SBA, Women in 
Business Champion, and the Women's Business Enterprise Council, WBEC, 
South Role Model of the Year for 2014, among others.
  Congratulations again to Cook Me Somethin' Mister for being selected 
as Small Business of the Week, and thank you for your inspiration for 
woman entrepreneurs across Louisiana. I look forward to seeing your 
continued growth and success.

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