Meet Chef Pat Paternostro,
Author of Savoir Faire!

"So many of life’s occasions, big & small, are worthy of celebration. Any gathering becomes more memorable when good food is lovingly prepared and presented. The intimacy of one's home, garden, or terrace are always the nicest settings for any occasion. Savoir Faire was created with home entertaining in mind. Many of my recipes offer complimentary dishes and menu plans to make any dining experience an affair to remember. Let’s celebrate life!"
-Chef Pat Paternostro

Pat Richard Paternostro, a native of Abbeville, Louisiana, has always loved homemaking and cooking. She learned Louisiana French cuisine in her formative years. Her father and mother, Remus and Pie Richard, had an appreciation for good food and good living. Remus cultivated a plant nursery where Pat learned about herbs and spices and all things "natural," and Pie and her children cooked the daily meals straight from the family garden.

As a graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy, excellent tutledge and home economics influenced and fueled Pat's passion for food and entertaining. Also a graduate of Hotel Dieu, School of Nursing, her aforementioned passions, now combined with her health conscious lifestyle, led her to create many recipes that can be enjoyed without guilt. In 1984, Pat's first culinary venture was "A Little Less." She held cooking classes for healthy dishes which used a little less salt, sugar and fat. Many of the recipes in Savoir Faire can be adapted to a healthy lifestyle by following those three simple principles.

In 1987, Pat and Ann Bettencourt began a fine catering business. "Puttin’ on the Ritz" was created to present savvy and chic meals for private dinner and cocktail parties, showers and weddings. When her daughter and son-in-law (Lisa and Gerard Beck) decided to open a coffeehouse in 1992, they asked "Mom" to create the menu. Caffe! Caffe! is a now a thriving success and has two locations - one in Metairie and one in Mandeville, Louisiana.

In spite of her busy schedule, Pat always finds time to cook for worthy causes: The Lakeview Shepard Center, Mt. Carmel Academy Development Drive Dinners, the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, The Alliance for the Mentally Ill and, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she has been providing meals for many laborers and victims of this devastating storm during New Orleans' on-going recovery. This is, quite simply, her life. And when she’s not cooking for causes, she is forever entertaining in her home. She resides in New Orleans with her husband (Joe), her daughters & sons-in-law (Lisa & Gerard, Kim & Lawrence), and grandchildren (Ashley, Nicholas, Rachel, Brandon).

Pat is self taught, always enhancing her "gourmet" knowledge by attending cooking classes. Pat also continues to teach classes on cooking and entertaining at Mt. Carmel Academy, her alma-mater. She travels extensively and attends courses in France, Italy and Greece. She has been known to wander into any kitchen, anywhere, and now she has wandered into your kitchen with her treasured collection. Enjoy!