Chef Hardette Harris is a proud Louisiana native and the creator of North Louisiana’s official state meal—only the second state-sanctioned menu in U.S. history. A graduate of the Art Institute of Houston, she started out as a private chef before returning home to celebrate her region’s rich food heritage. Through her "Us Up North" Kitchen in Shreveport, she’s earned national praise for dishes like her signature fried catfish, which CBS hailed as “the best I’ve had.”

Recognised as a "Louisianian of the Year" and featured in PBS’s Nourish, Chef Hardette has become a powerful voice for Southern foodways. Her work has been spotlighted in Louisiana Cooking, LOLA Magazine, and at culinary events across the country. Whether teaching, consulting, or debating cornbread onstage, she blends storytelling, culture, and deep flavour into every bite—firmly rooted in North Louisiana’s bold culinary traditions.

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