Nita’s Gumbo recipe originated in the New Orleans kitchen of the late Irving Sheldon Jones. He moved to Chicago in 1921 but kept his Louisiana roots alive by making time for the authentic French-Creole styled Gumbo he loved to make. Irving passed along his recipe to his daughter Anita, and taught her how to make the most important ingredient in any Gumbo...the roux! For hours Anita would watch her father cook with pride whenever he prepared this Louisiana family recipe. It was here she learned the art of cooking, embraced the joy of creating and, under his watchful eye, mastered the techniques behind the taste of his intoxicating Gumbo.