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ORAL HISTORY
Ella Brennan
Commander’s Palace
Born and raised in New Orleans, Ella Brennan was the matriarch of one of the region’s most prominent and successful restaurant families. At the age of 19, Brennan began working with her brother, Owen Brennan, who purchased a restaurant in the French Quarter. Since then, she devoted her life to the restaurant industry.
In 1969 the Brennan family took over Commander’s Palace. That restaurant became Ella Brennan’s priority. Thanks to her, Commander’s Palace is now one of the city’s most beloved restaurants, synonymous with impeccable service and what Brennan called “Haute Creole” cuisine.
In 2002, SFA awarded her the Craig Claiborne Lifetime Achievement Award. She passed away on May 31, 2018.
