Louisiana Chef Prudhomme, Who Helped Spread Cajun Food, Dies at 75

 Celebrated Louisiana chef Paul Prudhomme, who helped popularize Cajun and Creole cooking in the United States and around the world, has died at age of 75, a representative from his restaurant in New Orleans said on Thursday.

Prudhomme died after a brief illness, said the official from K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen.

Prudhomme, known for a soft white hat, salt and pepper beard and Cajun accent, was a television mainstay who also launched a successful line of spices. He wrote nine cookbooks, according to his website.