Idaho Today host Mellisa Paul and entertainment reporter April Neale spoke to Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau of the hit Paramount Television series, "Yellowstone," currently reairing on CBS.
"Gator" originally hails from North Hollywood, CA, but formed his culinary identity and chef persona over many youthful summers spent in the heart of Cajun Country—Acadiana. He always felt more at home there than in California. His excellent cooking and ability to please showrunner Taylor Sheridan's palate earned him a spot as a recurring actor on the series. Now, he has a cookbook, "Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Family Cookbook," and recommends some recipes perfect for the coming holidays.
At least three generations of outstanding Cajun chefs comprise the South Louisianan portion of his family tree—most notably his grandmother, Evadelle Guilbeau, and his father, David "Cajun" Guilbeau, a renowned fixture in the culinary sector of the film industry himself. From these influences, he learned about not only his heritage but also the unique culinary tradition of Cajun Cooking.
Gator stuck to craft services and landed more movie industry jobs. He cooked on a strapped budget and sometimes would make just one soup a day: chicken and sausage gumbo.
Word got out about his incredible ability to create delicious meals for the crew on a tight budget, and before long, Gator shared how he got on the "Yellowstone" set.
And not just a new book, but Gator's next project is his branded line of Gator's Hot Sauce. After refining his flavor concepts with the cast and crews of "Yellowstone," "1923," and "1883," Gator will be working for Sheridan both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as the Sheridan Universe expands on television and film.
THANKSGIVING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM HIS NEW COOKBOOK:
- Smoked Turkey legs with red beans and rice: Page 87
- Cornbread Dressing - page 107
- Golden Squash Casserole - page 106
- "This is how you make a f***ing Biscuit" page 103
Tune in: Episodes from Season 2 of the hit TV series "Yellowstone" continue to air Sundays on CBS and Paramount Network streaming platforms.