The Taste of EatLafayette showcases locally owned restaurants that participate in the annual EatLafayette campaign. The event has traditionally served as the kick off for the now three-month campaign that drives customers to local eateries and is a sell out every year.

This event features the best of both worlds: a taste of EatLafayette restaurants and a world class cooking competition. This is the 13th year for EatLafayette and the 10th year for the state’s premier cooking competition, which is presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board in partnership with the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

The Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser officially named the 2017 Louisiana Seafood Chef competitors. The Lt. Governor was joined by Lafayette Travel & EatLafayette officials who are hosting the competition at the June 20 Taste of EatLafayette event.

The event is relocating from New Orleans to Lafayette and will include a live cook-off during the event with chefs competing from all over the state. The winner will be announced that evening. The event will be held at the CAJUNDOME Convention Center in Lafayette, LA.

The competitors include:

Ben Fidelak, Executive Chef/Owner of The Levee. The Levee is located in Alexandria, LA in the new Holiday Inn downtown. Here is a photo of one of their dishes courtesy of the Levee’s Instagram page.

Ryan Andre’, Executive Chef of City Pork Brasserie and Bar, Baton Rouge, LA. City Pork Brasserie and Bar is the 2nd Concept of City Pork offering a more extended menu. Below is the Shrimp & Grits dish served at City Pork. Photo is courtesy of City Pork Brasserie & Bar’s Instagram.

Dustie Latiolas, Executive Chef of Crawfish Town USA. located in Henderson, LA, the site of the first commercial crawfish pond. Pictured is the Volcano Shrimp appetizer. Photo courtesy of the Facebook page of Crawfish Town USA.

Ernest Prejean of Prejean’s Restaurant. Prejean’s is located in Lafayette, LA.  A Family style restaurant that serves Cajun and Creole cuisine.  Pictured below is the Oyster Saxaphone.  A fresh French bread pirogue filled with crispy oysters, topped with a lemon caper and parsley beurre blanc.

Brad Tanner, Chef de Cuisine of Cafe Vermilionville.  A taste of tradition and a tradition of taste.  Pictured below is the Fish Acadien.  It’s been on the menu for over 30 years.

Lyle Broussard of Lake Charles, LA, Chef de Cuisine. Restaurant Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. A restaurant located in the L’Auberge Casino.  Picture courtesy of LA Seafood Board.

Chris McKnight, the Chef & Owner of the Fat Pelican located in Monroe, LA. The Fat Pelican is a family owned & operated restaurant serving southern inspired dishes.

Pictured is a pan seared grouper and gulf shrimp over green beans, cherry tomatoes, and crimini mushroom beurre blanc!  Photo courtesy of The Fat Pelican.

Eric Cook, Executive Chef of Bourbon House. Bourbon House is located in New Orleans, LA. Bourbon House is one of the French Quarter’s premiere restaurants. The restaurant is all about local seafood.  If it’s not in season you won’t find it on the menu.

Fried Oyster Salad new to the menu with watercress, frisée, St. Andre triple cream brie, and Louisiana caviar ranch.

Photo courtesy of Bourbon House’s Facebook Page.

Austin Kirzner, Executive Chef of Red Fish Grill. Red Fish Grill is a Cajun Creole restaurant located in New Orleans, LA.

Pictured is the grilled whole one pound spiny lobster, crawfish stuffing, sour orange mojo, mango-papaya-avocado salsa, fried plantains, and black bean purée. Pictured courtesy of Red Fish Grill’s facebook page.

Nathan Richard, Executive Chef of Cavan. Cavan is a neighborhood restaurant located in New Orleans, LA. Cavan is a coastal American restaurant in a 135-year-old New Orleans plantation home, with a foundation rooted in community.

Tuna Poke with benne seeds, avocado, & red chili puree pictured below. Courtesy of Cavan’s Facebook page.

Anthony Felan, Executive Chef of Wine Country Bistro located in Shreveport, LA.

Pictured below is the Buttered Poached Lobster, Burnt Cream, Goat Cheese Herb Ravioli finished with Sage. Picture courtesy of Facebook page of Wine Country Bistro.

Bonnie Breaux, Executive Chef of the St. John Restaurant. The St. John Restaurant is a family owned business that is located on the Bayou Teche in St. Martinville, LA.  A casual dining atmosphere that is serving up Creole and Cajun food.

The St. John Restaurant is one of the restaurants that I have dined at in the past. Pictured is the Catfish Plantation. This dish includes fried fish topped with lump crab and shrimp served in a creole sauce with rice and a side salad.

I wanted to include photos of the Chef’s competing dishes so we can see the calibration of talent that will be participating in the competition.

In addition to the live cook-off, 60 locally owned restaurants will offer a Taste of EatLafayette along with a host of sponsors. The summer long EatLafayette campaign kicks off with the Taste of EatLafayette event June 20 at the Cajundome Convention center. The EatLafayette tasting event offers a chance to sample the cuisine from some of the restaurants participating in EatLafayette.

This year’s Taste of EatLafayette kick-off event will be held in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board Cook-off, which is relocating to Lafayette from New Orleans! This will include a live cook-off during the event with chefs from all over the state, including Lafayette’s finest, participating in a cook-off competition with the winner being announced that evening. To purchase tickets for the event click the following link Taste Of EatLafayette.

The Taste of EatLafayette and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board Cookoff will be located at the Cajundome Convention Center at 444 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70506.

I hope to see you there!

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