William Bixler runs the Cajun Catfish house, the newest restaurant in Russell County.

Cajun is thought of by most as simply a category of food or music, but it is more to those who love it. It is an ebullient release of joy for food, music, and fun.

It doesn't take long for even the most sour of curmudgeons to catch that feeling after meeting “Chef Will.”

“I'm jess an ol' scratch cook,” Bixler begins. “Started learnin' it in my gran-maw's kitchen.”

But Bixler, a Kentucky native, went on to culinary school, then was flown to New Orleans by a restauranteur, the owner of Swamp Daddy's, to be trained in that most southern of styles.

“Lot of people think Cajun and they think 'hot,'” Bixler said. “Its not about hot its all about the right spices. I got stuff on the tables to make it hot (he picks up a bottle of hot sauce).”

Aside from the spicy fried catfish there is blackened chicken, Po-boy sandwiches, and jambalaya on the menu with, of course, alligator.

Bixler, who said he has been cooking professionally for 25 years, isn't working alone. He brought his sons, Kagan and Patrick, in on the venture.

Bixler said he came to this area because of a trip to Lake Cumberland State Park with a friend.

“I love this area,” he said. “The local folks have been great to us. I really appreciate how helpful everyone has been to us here.”

The Cajun Catfish House is on US-127 across from Lake Cumberland Real Estate, just south of Fruit of the Loom.

“Come break bread with Chef Will,” Bixler invited everyone.