Larry Lackey, chef/owner of Cayenne Moon, died of a massive heart attack Monday. He was 55.

His Creole-inspired menu included classics such as crawfish fritters, seafood gumbo, crab cakes and Gulf shrimp. His bread pudding was among the restaurants’ most requested recipes, but as his partner in life and business said those recipes were closely held secrets.

Lackey grew up near Tupelo, Miss., a self-taught cook who was in the kitchen by the time he was 11.

“He had an absolute passion for what he did,” said Polly Hagedorn, who had been with Lackey for 17 years. “We had a small staff, which made it more like family.”

Customers were loyal at this restaurant on Front Street, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary. Hagedorn said the chef especially appreciated feedback from visitors from Louisiana.

“They would tell him his cooking reminded them of their mama’s cooking,” said Hagedorn.

Unfortunately, the restaurant’s last meal will be served Saturday, when Cayenne Moon had a private party and some dinner reservations booked. And Hagedorn has no idea what her future holds.

“The restaurant business is difficult at best. We never made a ton of money, but the feeling of being part of a big family made it worth it,” she said.

A memorial service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Church on the River. To contact Hagedorn, call 901-522-1475.