Chef Michel Marcais passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 5, 2022 in Hammond, Louisiana surrounded by his family.
Chef Michel was preceded in death by his father, Julian Marcais and his mother Helen Robin Marcais as well as his brothers, Pierre and Robert. He is survived by his wife Isabel, their daughters Sandra Marcais Bradley and Miriam Marcais; grandchildren, Jack Bradley and Charlotte Bradley; as well as his son-in-law David Bradley and Michel’s older brother, Jean-Louis.
Chef Michel was born on September 19, 1944 in the town of Angers, France and was the youngest of 5 children. Chef Michel began his career as an apprentice while still in high school and served as a cook in the French Navy. After traveling all over Europe, Chef Michel settled in the Algarve in Portugal where he met and married Isabel. Michel, Isabel and their oldest daughter, Sandra, immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s.
Chef Michel’s culinary career featured many honors such as cooking for US Presidents and other dignitaries, numerous regional, national, and international culinary awards, and extensive traveling. Chef Michel was proud of his culinary memberships in the Chaine de Rotisseurs, the Vatel Club of New Orleans, the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Sacavin, the Society Culinaire Philanthropique of New York, the Association of Maitres Cusiniers de France and the Academy Culinaire de France as well as his participation in the Great Chefs of New Orleans cooking series. Chef Michel was also a member of the Masonic Lodges in California and New Orleans. Chef Michel was an accomplished, self-taught artist, creating ice sculptures and statues in various mediums for holidays and special events that earned accolades throughout his career. His hobbies included collecting wine, learning about architecture, creating art and studying the political writings of the founding fathers.
Upon retirement, Chef Michel and his wife Isabel settled in Hammond, Louisiana and opened Michabelle Inn. His daughter Sandra and her husband David continue the culinary traditions that Chef Michel started at Michabelle. Chef Michel loved participating in the local community as a member of the French Club and Spanish Club and was a proud member of the Krewe of Omega Carnival Club in Hammond. Friends and family alike will remember Chef Michel as lively, energetic and fun-loving; always happy to share a meal with friends and family.
The memorial service will take place on Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 1pm to 3pm at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond.
An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.
