Meet Lyn Thomas: Alligator woman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lyn Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lyn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was simply wanting some good food. Something that was authentic, I was craving authentic Louisiana food. So we would go and visit so called Louisiana restaurants in the valley. What we were finding is that there was a lack of authenticity and flavors. We would get frustrated.. We were born and raised in Louisiana. I know the food and the culture. So the process behind starting our own business was bringing real Louisiana culture and cuisine to the valley. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I worked in the medical field all my life. I enjoyed interacting with my patients. I loved hearing their stories about their experiences in life. I learned in life never to judge a person. I no longer work in the medical field. There’s two sides to every story. You can’t please everyone. Your word is golden. Give your all to a task. Never give up! Stay true to yourself. Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Treat people with kindness. Honor your parents. Zydeco’s Louisiana Kitchen was created out of wanting some good authentic food. There were challenges along the way. But I learned to never give up on your dreams. Keep pushing. Sometimes you have to put things on the back burner for a minute but always keep the flame burning until the timing is right. I put God first and ask him to guide my footsteps. I put my everything in my recipes and my food. I pride myself on customer service and hospitality and being clean. I cook from my heart and soul.. I enjoy sprinkling flavors around the valley. Cooking for me is like creating art. When I’m in my kitchen I feel as though I’m painting on a canvas. I noticed however that I’m often imitated but never duplicated (especially with my seafood gumbo). However this a form of flattery. I want to thank all of our followers and people that have to come to visit our food truck from the bottom of my heart. We couldn’t have done this without you. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family deserve a Shout-out,! They encouraged me and believed in my food. My husband kept pushing me and telling me to let the valley taste my food. He is my biggest cheerleader and supporter. He always bragged on my food. He’s also my taste tester. Our daughters are incredible. They kept pushing me as well. Let me break this down for you, My oldest daughter Arielle knows how to cook everything I prepare. She started at a early age watching me and learning, She is my back up and also my taste tester. She also takes pictures and does videography for Zydeco’s. My second daughter Lori is my backup as well, She has a eye for detail and is very organized. She keeps me on my toes in the kitchen. My third daughter Aimee, also pushes me to the max. She is my media mogul. She is my photographer, editor and our CMO. She does everything pertaining to this digital world. Zydeco’s couldn’t make it without her skills and her degree in Marketing. As far as a mentor, I love Leah Chase. I admire her story but I also have a cousin his name is Drew Palmer. He was and is my mentor. He owns a restaurant in Louisiana and I can always call him up and get advice. My biggest mentor is my mother she taught me the little tricks of cooking, I learned so much from her, not realizing that I would be using her techniques and secrets to feed the valley. She is no longer here with us but she lives in my heart and in my cooking.

Website: ZydecoLaKitchen.com
Instagram: Zydeco’s Louisiana Kitchen
Facebook: Zydeco’s Louisiana Kitchen

Image Credits
Images and pictures belong to Zydeco’s Louisiana Kitchen,LLC. Images taken by Aimee Parker (Precision Media)