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Uncle Bill's Creole File`
Uncle Bill's Creole File` originated in 1904 by Joseph
Willie Ricard in Rougon, LA. He was born blind on
October 5, 1894 along with a twin sister Lottie Marie
Ricard who was born with sight. She is the grandmother
of Lionel Key and he is the Great nephew of Uncle Bill.
Lionel had always known about "Uncle Bill's File`" and in 1982
he decided to ask him how to make it. He wanted to carry on the family
tradition of making gumbo file` started by his family in 1904. In 1985
uncle bill passed on to a better life and Lionel was given all of his
materials to work with. They were made by his Great-Great Uncle Gerard
Ricard, who was a carpenter.
Since 1985, Lionel has made "Uncle Bill's Creole File` in the same
manner in which Uncle Bill taught him. He has kept the family secret of
when to pick the leaves for harvest, and how to dry and cure them. Uncle
bill would always tell Lionel or as he called him "My Boo", a
lot of people make file` but they don't make it like me. Today that
still is true and lives on in "My Boo". |
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About Me
I have been making Gumbo File` for19 years and have kept my
family's tradition alive and well. I'm truly grateful for Uncle Bill teaching me how to make file` and this is a labor of love for me to be able to carry on the family tradition. I hope my sons will one day be able to carry on the tradition or maybe a niece or nephew. This
has been in my family for ninety-six years since its inception in 1904.
It was basically made for use in gumbo to season and thicken. File` can also be used in soups, sauces, gravy and stews to thicken and season. It can be used to marinate meat, poultery and fish . I can be reached at (225) 267-9220, E-Mail
fileman51@aol.com.
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