Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced Cook Me Somethin’ Mister of New Orleans, La. to be Small Business of the Week, and has submitted it into the official Congressional Record.

“Louisianians know better than most what it takes to rebuild and recover after natural disasters, and in the wake of devastation after Hurricane Katrina, Kristen Preau Moore rose to the challenge by opening Cook Me Somethin’ Mister to raise funds for her employer, the University of New Orleans,” said Vitter. “The creativity, strength, and spirit within Louisianians continue to inspire those around the state and the nation, and for that we recognize Kristen and Cook Me Somethin’ Mister as Small Business of the Week. Thank you for your commitment to the city of New Orleans and serving by example for other women entrepreneurs. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success.”

In 2005 the University of New Orleans Athletic Department approached Kristen to brainstorm a way to generate much-needed funding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Kristen took to what she knew best: Her family’s beloved jambalaya recipe. In just three months, Kristen raised $100,000 by selling jambalaya at football tailgates, and in the years since Cook Me Somethin’ Mister has grown into a full-time endeavor with five full-time employees producing the “Jambalaya Girl’s” products in Kristen’s hometown of New Orleans. Kristen’s small business has gained national recognition in recent years, and was recently named a Top 100 Small Business in the country for 2015 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Louisiana Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women in Business Champion, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) South Role Model of the Year for 2014.

Earlier this month, Vitter passed a bipartisan Senate Resolution declaring October to be National Women’s Small Business Month. Click here to read more. As Chairman of the Small Business Committee and in honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, Vitter continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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