Chef Ernie has been cooking his entire life with his Mother and Grandmother teaching him all the family Cajun Recipes – Gumbo, Etouffee, Bienville and their family Famous Chicken and Andouille Sausage Jambalaya; all served in his restaurant daily!
Ernie’s father (who everyone called “Big Dan”) was the owner of Danny & Clydes Po-Boy’s chain where Ernie got his first taste of food service operations, making Po-Boys, Muffuletta and all the fried seafoods.
After his fathers passing and his family selling out the Po-Boy operations, Ernie moved to Destin, Florida with his wife, Dawn, and they opened up Cafe’ New Orleans in 1998.
After selling Cafe’ new Orleans (now Fat Clemenzas in the Holiday Plaza), Ernie began his quest to learn, working with some of the best names in the area, Chan Cox, Jim Altramura, AJ Tusa & Mike Abadie to name a few.
Then in 2010, Ernie opened Dockside Cafe & Oyster Bar in Niceville, Florida. He took everything he learned about the Gulf Coast Restaurant Business and what he love about all the seafood place he grew up with in New Orleans and combined that with his family recipes and it took off!
Ernie is now at his new home, Cafe’ Nola in Defuniak Springs, Florida and looks forward to serving you his New Orleans flavorful dishes. (cafenola.net) Please like it on facebook.