I rarely write my column on the same thing as my lead story, but today I just cannot resist.

I hear all the time how no one is moving to Natchez and jobs are hard to come by here in our neck of the woods. So when I interviewed Regina Charboneau for this week’s article I felt to compelled to share some of the personal conversation with our readers.

Why? Because here is a prime example of a Natchezian who left home, became a success in her field and is credit to her Southern upbringing.

But more important, she and her husband, Douglas, have made a commitment to the way they choose to raise their family by moving back to Natchez.

There is no doubt that Regina could be cooking in New York or overseeing her restaurant in San Francisco. And the fact the she has chosen to raise her family here and work with the Richeses at Monmouth tells me two things.

First, she knows that raising children here in Natchez can be a very good thing. Second, she knows what many of us have known for some time – there is some fabulous cooking coming out of the kitchen at Monmouth.

Regina credited her parents, Frances Trosclair and the late J.P. Trosclair, with her love of cooking and entertaining, telling me that her father was a great chef and her mother a gracious hostess.

I feel sure her cookbook will be a great success for several reasons. It is filled with recipes that have obviously come from her family’s table. From the recipe for Southern Tea Cakes that she adapted from her father to the lobster dinner she created for her husband’s birthday, these are recipes you will love. Also, the cookbook is bound in a notebook style. It lays flat and there is no spiral binding to come undone or snag your clothes. And one feature I really like is the blank pages for jotting down your notes as you cook (I have it on good authority that these were Douglas’ idea). There is also a Web site where you can ask a question about the recipes, it is www.reginaskitchen.com

So, welcome home to Regina and her family. We hope moving to and working in Natchez is everything you planned.

4For those of you who have been asking, the teen driving thing is going exceptionally well. I am rather embarrassed to admit that she is a better driver than me. But parallel parking will tell the tale. Thanks to all of you who have e-mailed your teenager driving stories. Some were hysterical, but I fear for your life and mine if I print them so I will tuck them away for future reference.

Christina Hall is the lifestyle editor for The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 445-or by e-mail at christina.hall@natchezdemocrat.com