The People Project:
Wayne Cooper
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 13, 2024
Meet Wayne Cooper!
Wayne grew up in Robert, Louisiana with three younger brothers. He graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 1988, then attended Southeastern Louisiana University. He has five children, four boys (Keith, Kaleb, Bryce and Trey) and one girl (Anna). He has seven grandchildren, Aubrey (4). Paisley (3), Ember (2), Matteo (2), Autumn (6 months) and Arabella (1 month).
He is an active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and is on the board for Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.
We want to thank Wayne for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I worked in a milk processing plant for about five years. I learned a lot, and drank so much milk. Then I helped run a family business, I-155, an internet company for about 13 years.
While working there, I was always cooking and learning from some of the greats. Cooking is my true passion. I grew up with my granddad who worked on the fishing dock. He, my grandmother, and his siblings were always cooking seafood they caught. They were such great cooks. I started competing in contests and have won many times.
I have held a variety of catering type jobs in local companies. I worked for Aramark at Southeastern, North Cypress Fitness in the kitchen and Cena doing their family meals during COVID. I have a catering business, Blazed and Confused. I also work for Tangipahoa Parish Government, trimming trees and whatever jobs on the tractor.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Cena has to be on the top of my list. The turtle soup is great. I also like Kirin. I have probably had everything on their menu twice. I get their clear soup when I am sick. I also love Joey K's in New Orleans.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: When I was about 15 years old, my uncle took me to see a play at The Saenger. I was a boy from Robert, and didn't know any better... I wore a white t-shirt. He bought me some clothes and helped me develop into a man. He taught me about food and life.
Also, before I was 9 years old, I would go with my grandfather on Saturdays to get a haircut, Tasty Donuts for breakfast, then K-Mart for dinner in their cafeteria. They always announced their blue light special, and we would run to the item, and buy it.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Japan, my uncle married a Japanese woman, and lives there. I would love to go there and eat blowfish, live octopus and live chicken.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I love Where the Red Fern Grows.
Q: What is the first concert you remember going to?
A: The first concert I saw was Roy Acuff at the Grand Ole Opry.
Q: Do you have a favorite book?
A: The Bible.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Be quiet and listen. You learn a lot that way.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Besides going to Japan and eating, seeing the northern lights.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love gospel, blues, country and rock and roll. I just saw Larry Fleet. I'd like to see Aaron Lewis, Drake White and Kid Rock.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Definitely, I-55 Internet.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who would that be?
A: Morgan Freeman. He seems very wise. We would dine at one of his restaurants.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: Our cuisine.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I'll still be stirring a pot and be closer to God.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That I love the color pink!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Love.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A barber.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Japanese food.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Talk to God, especially on my motorcycle. There is freedom there.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a cutting board for a birthday gift. The last gift I received was a baseball hat just because.
Q: What are you known for?
A: For cooking.
Q: What is your favorite 80s jam?
A: Something To Believe In by Poison.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: A photographic memory so I could gain wisdom.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Cooking contests, hunting, fishing, listening to music in small music venues.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Smiley face.
Q: What are you the most proud of?
A: My relationship with God.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My Bible and a radio.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would fund an event center I am working on, set up a fund for church and set up funds to help family and close friends.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I had a good relationship with God.
Wayne was nominated by Jeannine Louviere
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