Get ready to indulge in the ultimate culinary and beverage celebration at the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, proudly hosted by Visit Lake Charles and presented by Rouses Markets. This multi-day festival, which takes place in Lake Charles, Louisiana September 19-22, transforms the city into a haven of flavors, music, and culture, showcasing Louisiana's rich heritage. The festival showcases a variety of celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/proprietors, artisans, farmers, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits, and beer brands from around the world.
Extra Early Bird discount tickets are on sale now for signature events. From wine dinners to master classes, an assortment of events is available for all tastebuds and budgets. The 2023 festival drew visitors from across the U.S. and Canada with attendees coming from every parish throughout Louisiana. The inaugural 2023 event was recently awarded a LOUEY award for best Festival/Event of the Year from the Louisiana Travel Association.
“Louisiana’s Celebrity Chef Wine Dinner”
Thursday, September 19, 2024, 6 pm
Location TBD
Brought to you by Explore Louisiana and Louisiana Seafood, the festival kicks off with a Louisiana-inspired, six-course dinner prepared by award-winning chefs paired perfectly with Jackson Family Wines, the official festival wine partner.
“Master Classes”
Friday, September 20, 2024, 10:30 am to 4 pm
SOWELA Technical Community College
Participants learn tasting techniques, the winemaking process, and pairing trends through a series of interactive and intimate sessions with guest celebrity chefs, cookbook authors, beverage experts, and tastemakers.
“Fire on the Lake”
Friday, September 20, 2024, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Bord du Lac Park/Lakefront Amphitheater
A quintessential Louisiana celebration of live fire cooking, this event overlooks the beautiful shores of Lake Charles. “Fire on the Lake” features a variety of slow-cooked, grilled, and smoked meats, Louisiana seafood and vegetarian creations from some of the most celebrated Pitmasters, chefs and grill masters in the Southern region. Enjoy unlimited tasting bites, wine, beer, and spirits tastings with a souvenir glass, complemented by zydeco music from Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express.
“Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, Grand Tasting”
Saturday, September 21, 4 to 7 pm
Bord du Lac Park/Lakefront Amphitheater
A fun evening of culinary and beverage tastings with live music in the beautiful surroundings of Bord du Lac Park. All-inclusive tickets include a souvenir glass for tasting from hundreds of wines, beer and spirits exhibitors. Don’t miss the Rouses Markets Cooking Demonstration Stage and a Taste of Louisiana Alley with samplings from Louisiana’s best chefs, sponsored by Explore Louisiana and Louisiana Seafood. Louisiana’s Crafts Brews Alley showcases breweries from around Louisiana with musical entertainment by the Flamethrowers. Brews Alley is sponsored by the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild.
“Sunday Jazz Brunch”
Sunday, September 22, 11 am to 2 pm
Location TBD
Wrap up the festival with a signature Jazz Brunch like no other, featuring unlimited beverage tastings with a souvenir glass, live music, a lavish brunch with carving stations, salad bars, Louisiana seafood stations, made-to-order omelet stations, and a variety of desserts. This festival finale includes an impressive Bloody Mary bar, as well as mimosas, sparkling wine, sprits, wine, and beer.
“Festival Happenings Week”
September 16-22, 2024
Extend the festival throughout the week with additional tastings, dinners and educational seminars leading up to the signature events. These opportunities will take place in restaurants and bars throughout the city and will be announced in July 2024.
As part of its commitment to the community, the festival has chosen the United Way of Southwest Louisiana as its official charity partner. A portion of ticket proceeds, along with 100% of the Wine & Whiskey Pull proceeds, will be donated to the United Way. The festival also supports culinary education through a scholarship with SOWELA Technical Community College.
The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival takes place September 19 – 22, 2024 with culinary, wine, beer, and spirit tasting experiences. The most up to date festival information is available at www.louisianafoodandwinefestival.com and on their social media channels Facebook and Instagram.
