For a few years, Cajun Cousins co-owner Milton McCluskey lived in Australia with one of his New Orleans cousins, Drew Hillery II. The two were quite disappointed to find no Cajun-themed restaurants, bars, or food in the whole country. To rectify this sad situation, the cousins started in the kitchen, making classic Cajun dishes from family recipes for their friends and, eventually, for strangers who became friends through Cajun food.

The Australians went crazy over it. It was a fun, innovative experience for the regular folks in the area who got to know Milton and Drew. They were able to better understand the deep-rooted themes of Cajun food, music, and culture. 

After three years in Australia, Milton moved back to the United States. Here, too, Milton had trouble finding good Cajun food. The idea born in Australia and steeped in his New Orleans family history persisted.

Milton decided to base his new business in Columbia, SC. After The Citadel, Drew spent five years in New Orleans working as equipment manager for the Saints; however, the lure of working with Milton and sharing Cajun food and culture with others was enough to convince him to move to the Palmetto State. The brothers united with a goal of bringing the spirit of Louisiana and their love for the Cajun experience to family and friends in the Carolinas and Georgia.

Cajun Cousins offers catered Cajun delicacies, such as crawfish boils and Aunt Dottie’s jambalaya. They bring everything and can set up anywhere. They are passionate about giving people a reason to gather and get to know the culture that we love so much. Cajun food is a nice way to spice things up .Cajun Cousins is expanding its brand to the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the Upstate, and to other areas of the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Especially as pandemic tensions and restrictions ease, people like to get together and have a party. Specially themed food, such as Cajun, gives them a reason to gather. To us, it is all about connecting people with our family’s culture.