Savoring & Sipping Success at the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival
For its second year, the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival once again drew food lovers from across the globe, with 3,000 attendees traveling from as far as Canada and from cities across the U.S., such as Denver, Colorado; Hartford, Connecticut; Pawleys Island, South Carolina; and Dallas, Texas, to indulge in Southwest Louisiana’s rich culinary scene.
Toasting Southwest Louisiana from a Visitor's Perspective
Sharisa Crawford from Huffman, Texas, attended the festival for the first time and participated in a Louisiana Inspired Master Class: “The Freshest of Fresh Sushi: Breaking Down a Yellowfin Tuna and Savoring Varieties of Different Cuts & Flavors” with Huy Pham.
The class featured fresh yellowfin tuna paired with Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vega handcrafted cocktails. Crawford tried sashimi for the first time—thoroughly enjoying the experience. She praised the atmosphere and the friendly crowd, saying, “This is an experience. Not only is it fun, but it's educational, and you can expand your palate in food, drink, wine—everything.” The self-proclaimed barbecue aficionado attended additional events, including “Fire on the Lake” with her son.
“I judge barbecue cook-offs, so this is right down my alley,” she said. “I love it.”
Eddie Craig, originally from Scottsburg, Indiana, and currently residing in Ruston, attended the festival to celebrate his birthday with his mother, Malvina Craig, who traveled down from Indiana.
During the sushi master class, Malvina reflected on their time in Japan, where they had a similar experience at a fish market. She noted, “It was the same thing, having the different grades of tuna until you get to the best, which melts in your mouth. It was really fun to experience it here the way we experienced it there.”
Both participated in additional master classes and immersed themselves in the fun, educational atmosphere throughout the weekend. Highlights included the “Louisiana’s Celebrity Chef Wine Dinner,” “Fire on the Lake,” the “Louisiana Food & Wine Festival Grand Tasting” with live cooking demonstrations, and the lively “Sunday Jazz Brunch.”
SOWELA’s Cooking with the Masters
For SOWELA Technical Community College Culinary Arts students, the festival provided an opportunity for them to work side-by-side with culinary icons such as Jernard Wells, an award-winning TV host, celebrity chef, and bestselling author, as well as Paul Fehribach of Big Jones – an acclaimed Southern restaurant in Chicago.
The variety of master classes, tastings, and cooking demonstrations highlighting the best of Louisiana reinforces why the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival is a must-attend culinary destination event. Attendees left with blissfully full bellies and satisfied palates, eager for more next year.
Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s festival, which will take place from September 18 through 21, 2025.
Visit Lake Charles Travels to India
Visit Lake Charles recently participated in the Louisiana Office of Tourism's first-ever sales mission to India, visiting key markets in Mumbai and New Delhi. The mission exceeded expectations, attracting 170 attendees from the travel industry, media, and trade sectors.
This engagement highlighted the growing interest in Louisiana among Indian travelers, which could translate into future interest in Lake Charles. With India setting new records for U.S. arrivals—1.5 million between January and August 2024, a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2023—the timing of this mission was ideal. As more Indian travelers seek experiences beyond major cities like New York and Los Angeles, Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana is positioned as an attractive destination for travelers.
Kaitlyn Gallegos, director of global sales, represented Southwest Louisiana at various press and trade events, where she highlighted the appeal of our region. Indian travelers, known for their loyalty and repeat visits—often holding 10-year visas—are now eager to explore new regions in the U.S. Lake Charles, situated along Interstate 10 between Houston and New Orleans, makes it the ideal location for a visit.
The mission garnered significant media attention, with 17 articles published, reaching an audience of more than 2 million. With the groundwork laid by this successful mission, Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana could see more Indian visitors and strengthen its reputation as a top destination for international travelers.
UK Writers Visit Lake Charles
As part of our ongoing efforts to expand Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana’s international reach, Visit Lake Charles welcomed five United Kingdom-based writers during the Spirit of Louisiana familiarization trip. The trip led by the Visit Lake Charles team introduced writers to four Louisiana cities, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette.
During their stay in Lake Charles, the writers took part in various experiences unique to the area, including savoring freshly harvested oysters from Salt Revival Oyster Co., live music at Panorama Music House, breakfast at The Bekery, a scenic bike ride through downtown Lake Charles and Shell Beach Drive, and visits to Historic City Hall and Famous Foods.
Each carefully crafted itinerary by VLC’s Director of Public Relations, Matt Young, highlights why tourism is more than just travel—it’s about telling our story. Familiarization trips such as this one are just one of the ways we can share what makes Southwest Louisiana special to an international audience, helping to strengthen our region’s global presence and attract future visitors from abroad.
Celebrating Culinary Excellence
The Visit Lake Charles team traveled to Covington to attend the 2024 Louisiana Cookin’ Chef to Watch Awards Dinner, supporting local talent Rebekah Hoffpauir, owner of The Bekery.
Her journey from baking at home to running a beloved European-inspired bakery in Lake Charles highlights the region’s growing culinary influence.
Hoffpauir wowed attendees with her Peach Turnover and Homemade Brown Butter Ice Cream, a dessert inspired by family tradition. Her recognition not only celebrates her hard work but also puts Lake Charles on the map as a must-visit destination for food lovers, attracting culinary tourists to the area.
Submit Your Chuck Eats Restaurants Week Deals Today
Attention Calcasieu Parish restaurants! Don’t miss your chance to participate in Chuck Eats Restaurant Week! Sign up by the Friday, Nov. 29 deadline for just $100 per restaurant and showcase your culinary talent. For more information, visit chuckeats.org.
Check out Tourism Works in the American Press on the last Thursday of each month.
