Krispy Kreme’s legendary French chef has never been found.
Company lore says Vernon Rudolph bought the recipe in 1933 from Joe LeBeau, a New Orleans French chef. Rudolph’s son Carver and Paducah historian Barron White later found no LeBeau and no doughnut shop. They believe the recipe came from Joseph G. LeBoeuf, a barge cook from Louisiana famous for his fluffy doughnuts. LeBoeuf’s family said he would never have charged for it.
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