Published February 29, 2024
Melissa Cole, Pensacola State College Foundation
Chef Earl Peyroux was a beloved local celebrity and author in the Pensacola area best known for his television program “Gourmet Cooking with Earl Peyroux.”
Growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana surrounded by Southern, Cajun, and Creole cuisine, Peyroux developed a passion for cooking. Ever hungry for knowledge, Chef Peyroux studied culinary technique and culture abroad in Italy, Spain, Japan, and France. He went on to graduate from the cooking school of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and served as an understudy to famous chefs such as Julia Child and Paul Prudhomme.
After moving to Pensacola in the 1970s, Earl Peyroux became a culinary instructor at Pensacola Junior College. In 1977, Peyroux was approached by the College’s local television station, WSRE, to host a series of thirteen cooking shows.
“Gourmet Cooking with Earl Peyroux” was picked up by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1982 for its popularity and was shown nationally throughout the early 90s. The show aired for a total of eighteen years despite being originally slated for just 13 episodes. Peyroux ended up hosting over 600 episodes thanks to his endearing presence and the simple charm that he brought to his show. During his rise to local and national fame, Chef Peyroux published seven books of international cooking and cooking tips. The books bear his show’s name and sold over 120,000 copies.
Peyroux called Pensacola, Florida home for roughly four decades before his passing in October of 2003. In the two decades since his death, Chef Earl Peyroux is still fondly remembered for his genuine love of food and sharing his knowledge with others.
To preserve his memory and continue his legacy, the many fans and loved ones of Chef Peyroux, led by the efforts of Drs. Tip and Ellen McKnight and Hal George, established the Earl Peyroux Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Pensacola State College. Concentrated fundraising through the annual Earl Peyroux Scholarship Reception, held at the McKnight’s home over the past three years, helped bring a $60,000 endowment to fruition.
The Earl Peyroux Memorial Endowed Scholarship will support deserving students enrolled in culinary arts, hospitality, business, entrepreneurship, or a teaching field of study into perpetuity. Those who helped establish his endowment eagerly await its first awarding period, which will take place during the 2024 – 2025 school year, beginning on August 19.
For more information and to support scholarships at Pensacola State College, visit http://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/ or contact Director of Foundation Scholarships, Mikenzie Francis-Opperman, at (850) 484 – 1788 or mfrancis-opperman@pensacolastate.edu
For more information about applying for scholarships and other forms of financial support at Pensacola State College, visit https://www.pensacolastate.edu/financial-aid/ or contact the Financial Aid Department at (850) 484-1680 or fava@pensacolastate.edu