FROM THE HEART – Jan & Trudy White

BY WENDY LECHNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK COOPER

Jan and Trudy White, owners of Dat Cajun Place Cafe, have created a home away from home, which is where their story begins.
When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, both evacuated the New Orleans area with only a few belongings, only packing as much clothing as needed for two to three days away, as they assumed they’d be returning soon to New Orleans. They had to wait six to eight weeks to return, only to find they’d lost everything. Florida was open to Katrina refugees and they found temporary residency in Panama City Beach. They felt at home and decided to go into the real estate business while keeping the memory of Louisiana alive with traditional home-cooked meals.

The couple has been married since 2009 but Jan and Trudy met much earlier, in 1994, when they both worked in the auto business. Later they partnered in a very successful market research venture. They were great colleagues, then good friends, and became partners in life.

Trudy is a true Cajun, with ancestral roots from the time Acadians migrated to Louisiana from Nova Scotia. She says her father spoke fluent Cajun French. Trudy picked up the preparation of traditional recipes from her mother, who had been taught by her grandmother.

Jan and Trudy had an upbringing where they were steeped in the traditions of different aspects of Louisiana’s unique combination of culinary influences – Cajun, Creole, French, Italian, and Irish, among others. The couple’s love for good food is exhibited in the rich roux of Trudy’s famous gumbo, the delicate coating of the fried pickles, the complex spices of the bayou shrimp, and many other wonderful traditional and creative dishes on the menu. If the dishes aren’t specifically Cajun, they have a fun twist with a Cajun name.

PCL: How did you make the change from real estate to running a restaurant?

TRUDY: We often had friends visit here and they’d ask us where to eat. We always answered “our house.” It’s a New Orleans thing, sharing from the heart. Friends pressed us to go into business, so, with a partner, we started a sandwich shop in a 450-square-foot space. In March 2012, we had 12 to 14 chairs, which grew to 22 chairs. We only had two parking spaces out front and as many as 80 guests during the peak hours. One day, I put gumbo on the menu. We started by making 4½ gallons a week, and soon we were making 9 gallons a day. Since then, we bought out our partner, moved to our current location, and later expanded to 5,000 square feet. All within two years.

PCL: As a couple, how do you work together?

JAN: Trudy is the driving force behind our success. We both have cooked since we were kids. Trudy’s mother was a great cook, and Trudy picked up her skills and traditions early. I also cooked as a kid. We talk over what needs to be done and decide what goes on the menu.

PCL: What are the biggest challenges to you as a couple in business?

TRUDY: Communication. As with any couple, we have our ups and downs, but we try to keep business matters at the business and enjoy being with each other at home. Separating business and home is hard, but it’s necessary. A clear division of responsibilities and tasks helps.

JAN: I enjoy watching Trudy accomplish what she sets out to do. I’m there for her when I’m needed. It is so much fun when I am out in the community and people talk to me as if I am ‘famous.’ They say, “Jan, we really love your restaurant.” It’s heart-warming to hear they enjoy what we do.

PCL: What inspires you as you grow your business?

TRUDY: We came here with nothing. We had lost so much. Panama City Beach embraced us. We knew so many people back in New Orleans, but here we have more really good friends. It’s been overwhelming and we want to give back. We’ve done events for veterans and for the family of Storm McDaniel who was killed in a
(jet ski) accident. What we do, we do from the heart.

JAN: We grew from one employee to 40. This is very important to us. Nothing makes us happier than helping our employees grow in their jobs and have opportunities in the community. They are like members of our family, and we want the best for them.

PCL: Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day?

TRUDY: We really have fun all the time. Steaks and candlelight at home are romantic to us through the year. This year for Valentine’s Day, we want to give something special to our customers so we’re planning a real New Orleans-style Jazz Brunch. We’ll make it as traditional as we can. We’ll have a jazz band and a really nice Sunday brunch. That will make us happy.

 

[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2015/11/Wendy-Lechner.jpg” ]Wendy Lechner is a food historian. She previously owned and operated a cooking school on the island of St. Kitts with her sister and business partner, Lorraine. The two now specialize in olive oils and vinegars and co-own Emerald Coast Olive Oil, a specialty store selling premium olive oils and vinegars in Panama City Beach (Pier Park). Testing recipes and pairing different foods is as much of a passion as it is her business.[/author]