The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, a 10-year-old New Orleans-based nonprofit organization that supports the hospitality industry, is expanding into Baton Rouge and bringing with it a new food festival.
The first Red Stick Food Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 7, on the lawn at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel.
A dozen local restaurants are participating in the festival, serving up dishes that include handmade Louisiana meatpies, shrimp BLT poboys, crawfish pasta and sweet potato pecan bread pudding. Three local bands will perform at the event, which will not have an admissions charge.
“This is an expansion opportunity for us,” says Jennifer Kelley, executive director of the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. “We’re excited to be coming to Baton Rouge.”
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation was created as a statewide support organization for the hospitality industry, but it has primarily concentrated its efforts in New Orleans, where most of its members and board members are located. Among the well-known festivals and events the group puts on in New Orleans is the annual Seafood Festival, which draws more than 50,000 attendees over three days.
Kelley says the foundation board has long wanted to move into other markets, and the Red Stick Food Fest marks its first foray outside of the Crescent City. As with the events it does in New Orleans, any profits the festival generates will be donated to the local community.
“Our goal this year is really to stay in the black,” she says. “But anything extra we will give back.”
Participating restaurants include: 18 Steak, Acme Oyster House, Blend, Galatoire’s Bistro, GoodFella’s Seafood and PoBoys, Juban’s, Ruffino’s, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Three Cake Diva, Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar, Wow Café and Zea Rotisserie and Grill.
To see a complete menu or for more information click here.
—Stephanie Riegel
