Gumbo Guru Billy Gruber of Liuzza's by the Track Dead at 69

Legendary local chef Billy Gruber passed away on Thursday, February 4 at the age of 69 due to complications related to cancer, says The Times-Picayune. The New Orleans native opened several area restaurants and bars but left the biggest mark at Liuzza's by the Track near the Fairgrounds Race Course, which he took over in 1996.

During his tenure at the neighborhood tavern, Gruber created several signature dishes for the menu, though none was more famous than his fabled Creole gumbo which reportedly including a secret blend of 13 seasonings. Take a listen to this interview, taped in 2006 for the Southern Foodways Alliance, in which Gruber explains the inspiration behind his complex recipe.