About Deelightful Roux School of Cooking

Your fun, food, and cultural experience of the South begins at the Deelightful Roux School of Cooking, proudly located inside the vibrant Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SoFAB) in New Orleans.

SoFAB is a nonprofit educational and cultural organization dedicated to the discovery, understanding, and celebration of food, drink, and folklife across America and the world. At Deelightful Roux, we bring that mission to life every day through immersive, hands-on cooking classes rooted in the flavors and stories of Louisiana.

We proudly partner with iconic local brands like Tabasco®, Domino® Sugar, Leidenheimer Baking Co., Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse, and Luzianne® to create an authentic New Orleans experience like no other. Whether you're a tourist, student, food lover, or corporate team, your time with us will leave you inspired, full, and connected to the cultural heart of the South.

Meet Chef Dee Lavigne

Founder | Chef | Educator | Advocate

Born and raised in the historic 9th Ward of New Orleans, Chef Dee Lavigne began cooking and baking at the age of 7. As the middle child of eight siblings, she was resourceful from the start—learning to create magic with flour, sugar, eggs, and milk. Her passion took shape in a home economics class and never left her side.

She went on to graduate from The Culinary Institute of America in January 2003 and spent 14 years working in the bakery department of Whole Foods Market. During that time, she became a proud mother to Reynell Jr., now 21, and Russell, now 11. Inspired by Reynell’s autism diagnosis and a desire to spend more time with her children, Chef Dee launched her first business, Deelightful Cupcakes, in 2016—marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.

A Culinary Trailblazer

Chef Dee’s story is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. Since founding Deelightful Roux in 2021, she has transformed it into a celebrated destination for locals and visitors alike. Here are just a few highlights:

• Director of Culinary Programming at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum

• Founder of Deelightful Roux School of Cooking, launched with the support of SoFAB and local culinary partners

• Paul McIlhenny Culinary Entrepreneurship Scholarship Awardee (2017)

• Winner of the Big Top Carnival Baking Competition (2017, 2018), featured in BAKE Magazine

• Graduate of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Catapult Fund (2018)

• Member of the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce

• WWL-TV Sunday Morning Food Segment Contributor

• Panelist, Chef, and Culinary Educator for major food festivals and national partnerships, including collaborations with CJ McCollum’s Heritage 91 Wine, Pelicans NBA, and the Smithsonian Institution

Chef Dee is also an advocate for inclusive culinary education. Inspired by her son, she’s currently developing cooking classes for individuals with disabilities and incorporating accessibility into all aspects of her programming.

New Ventures & Programming

Deelightful Roux continues to grow with community at its core. Chef Dee is now developing:

• Deelightful Saturdays, a live cooking show with guest chefs and tastings

• A one-week culinary summer camp for kids combining cooking, gardening, and food history

• A culinary events brand that manages food & beverage for the museum, including:

  • Commissary kitchen rentals

  • A supper club series

  • Corporate events & private bookings

  • Weekend Bites food pop-ups (Fridays–Sundays)

  • Farmers markets and special events

These initiatives serve Chef Dee’s ultimate mission: to celebrate the soul of Southern cuisine while empowering others through history, storytelling, and food.

Come cook with us, share a story, and experience New Orleans through a Deelightful lens.

Deelightfully Yours,
Chef Dee Lavigne
Founder, Deelightful Roux School of Cooking
Director of Culinary Programming, Southern Food & Beverage Museum