Renowned food critic Tom Fitzmorris has sadly passed away, leaving behind his beloved wife, Mary Ann, and their two children, Jude and Mary Leigh, who now carry on his legacy of passion for food and culture.
He was a renowned American food writer, radio host, and author best known for his vast knowledge and passionate advocacy of New Orleans cuisine.
Highlights
- Fitzmorris was a well-known food writer and author who used to host “The Food Show” daily.
- He has been married to his wife, Mary Ann Fitzmorris, a writer for decades.
- Fitzmorris was blessed with two children: Jude Tucker Fitzmorris, and Mary Leigh Fitz morris.
Fitzmorris dedicated his career to uncovering and documenting the city’s vibrant culinary history, starting with the publication of The New Orleans MENU in 1977.
The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) recognized his expertise, and he became a Certified Culinary Professional.
In addition to writing, Fitzmoris was a well-known radio host who presented “The Food Show” daily on 990 AM in New Orleans.
The Food Critic, Tom Fitzmorris Was Married to His wife, Mary Ann Fitzmorris
The late Tom Fitzmorris was married to Mary Ann Fitzmorris since February 1989.
Moreover, Mrs. Fitzmorris was a columnist, radio host, and storyteller with a quick wit about family life and a deep passion for New Orleans cuisine.
She co-hosted “The Food Show” continuing her husband’s tradition of praising New Orleans cuisine.
Outside of radio, the radio host’s partner is also a writer, and her novel, “The Suzie Homemaker Chronicles,” is a comedy of modern family life, contrasted with the traditional Erma Bombeck-telling style.
Outside of writing, she enjoys story-telling across the board and she used to join her husband and talk about food.
In addition, she hosts a podcast titled “Emmie, the Story Lady,” where she brings stories to life for listeners of all ages.
Despite Tom’s declining health, she remained by his side so that he could still dine at the best restaurants in the city, such as a birthday meal at Commander’s Palace.
Her humor, family, and food love make her a beloved person in her own right.
Tom Fitzmorris’s children, Jude Tucker Fitzmorris and Mary Leigh Fitzmorris have each established successful careers in their respective fields
Tom Fitzmorris, a well-known American food critic, was blessed with two kids: his daughter, Mary Leigh Fitzmorris, and his son, Jude Tucker Fitzmorris.
His son has established a successful career in both the entertainment and tech industries, currently serving as a Senior Product Manager at Amazon, where he specializes in content rights management.
RIP Tom. One of the best, and most fair, food critics. Always loved that he told people to give new restaurants time to find their groove. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IjftT9SxMb
— Nola Dave (@ScroogeDaddy) February 13, 2025
Moreover, Mr Tucker has been affiliated with organizations like The Tracking Board and OTT.X and his background is in product development and management in digital entertainment.
Meanwhile, the radio host’s daughter, Leigh Fitzmorris is a professional artisan cake designer and the owner of Merrily Cake Co., an artisanal bakery known for crafting luscious-appearing cakes.
She first cut a door open in 2012 as a member of a boutique bakery shop in Abita Springs, later becoming more focused in New Orleans by working as a pastry cook at Sucre and La Provence.
Additionally, Leigh relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2016 to oversee cake and pastry production for a restaurant and bakery chain.
She has continued to be dedicated to creating bespoke cake designs for parties in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
Additional Information
- Tom Fitzmorris’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million as of 2025.
- He recently passed away at the age of 74 because of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
- Fitzmorris kept details surrounding his parents private, however, he revealed that his mother was a fabulous French-Creole cook at home.
