Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Laveaux
Josie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Known as “the Creole Goddess of burlesque” I’m Josie Laveaux. Award winning entertainer, producer, and pinup competitor, and cover model. The classical Queen of the Stl burlesque scene. Im a Proud wife and mother. A Professional private Chef Instructor.
I was born a vintage girl. I always listened to a lot of do wop and Motown growing up. I’m heavily inspired by clowning and old Hollywood. My perfomances reflect my passions. I keep audiences on the edge of their seats with my sexy sultry style and innate musicality. I have been in and on the cover of many pinup magazines including Retrolovely Magazine.
I aways knew I’d be on the stage. Entertaining is truly my peace. I love to give an experience. From perfoming Burlesque and being the closing act at The Mayors Mardi gras ball at Union Station.To teaching 40 plus staff members from major million dollar companies how to work together effectively as a team to build the best most unique sushi rolls.
Food has always been a huge part of my life. I was raised by my mother and my “Big mama.” They taught me a lot about French creole food and our history. How to have a feeling for food. So of course that means they didn’t have any measurements at all written down. They taught me to cook from the heart. Lots of bread puddings and fresh seafood. When my mother passed away when i was 12. cooking and feeding others became something that helped me greive and heal. After my “Big Mama” passed a few years later. I became emaciated by the courts at the age of 16 and was happily living independently. I received my medical assistant degree from Midwest Institute in earth city. I started working for Barnes Jewish hospital on the oncology floor while going to college to get my degree in bio chemistry. I would later work in the lab processing over 2,000 covid test a day for Washington University as a laboratory assistant three in 2019-2021. I had 128 covid exposures while employed there. I was Blessed not to have ever contracted the virus. Leaving me to be able to be a covid hero.and work and help out where needed.
However, my passion for food was still as strong as ever. During this time I was also working more as a private Chef. Whenever possible.Cooking and teaching meals like my taste of the Bayou with crab cakes, blackened shrimp pasta and bread pudding with a bourbon cream sauce. And my flavors of Asia with sticky shrimp lettuce wraps, orange chicken and banana fritters.
I went on to receive a baking and patisserie degree from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in St Peters MO. I wanted to learn more about the science behind baking. I was then hired by The Gaylord Opryland resort in Nashville TN as an executive pastry Chef baking bread, pastries, and pizza dough for all 5 of their restaurants all while being 7 months pregnant with my daughter. I worked there for several years before returning to St Louis to continue dancing, and producing my always sold out burlesque Circus variety show “The BareCat Cabaret” the classiest show around! I was so very proud abd so thrilled that myself and my hand picked cast got published in Retrolovely magazine Burlesque special edition in 2023. What an honor as a producer. Although I love dance i felt the need to teach cooking more. I found a great company that worked well with my show girl schedule. Called Classpop/ Cozymeals. With them I was able to teach more classes at homes and businesses. Hosting more date nights, Bachelorette parties, and massive team building all over Mo, and Ill. My classes are all about getting back to the basics. Having fresh ingredients and flavors. Some of my popular classes and Private experiences are Sushi for starters, fresh gnocchi with a velvety mushroom pesto sauce, fresh pasta with marinara and Alfredo sauce and Crepes French and Swedish. I love bringing people together to socialize and learn something new and tasty. With a dash of french Kre’yol soul.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been easy for me in St. Louis MO. As far as the dance burlesque community. i do not approve of stages being used for having burlesque drag/burlesque shows that children of all ages can attend. Sometimes yhey even cast kids. That is grooming. Burlesque is about the beauty of women. Feminine and proud. These shows are not for kids. Drag is not for kids.
With this difficult situation I did some research and was able to find a community of individuals that have the same morals and values as me. I joined the group as a content creator first but i am now so happy to be the South regional leader of this parental rights group. Gays against groomers. Together we will stop this war on children. We oppose the indoctrination, sexualization , and medicalization of children. We do this by educating, protesting drag/ burlesque shows including children.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional private Chef. I specialize in cooking and teaching French Native Kre’yol cuisine. What sets me apart are my flavors and my ability to teach anyone how to cook. I am most proud of being able to make all of my dreams come true by never stopping my goals no matter the obstacles put in front of me. No matter if I didn’t get support from my peers. I’m here and iam succeeding by being authenticly me.
I am “the Creole Goddess ” The Queen of Stl Burlesque. I produce the classiest show around.
I am the south regional leader of Gays against groomers being a major voice to protect children and parents rights.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I am all about community and helping each other be successful. Do your homework research like minded people to connect with. Set up lunch or coffee meetings to meet up and network with other creatives. You can find sponsors and sponsorships this way.
Contact Info:
- Website: Https://www.classpop.com/chefs/5777chef-legina
- Instagram: @gag_missouri
- Other: https://www.cozymeals.com
