Chef Eric McCree is making a name for himself as a savory chef — a path he did not expect. McCree, 27, initially trained to be a pastry chef. However, as the chef at Augustine in Lake Charles, he now…
Cajun rhythms, expertly crafted cocktails and genuine hospitality converge at Naq’s N Duson, one of Acadiana’s most enticing new no-frills destinations. Since opening in 2025, Naq’s has quickly earned acclaim for its Cajun and zydeco weekend brunch, generous plate lunches,…
Fresh vegetables are abundant in these long summer days. Fortunately, so are recipes for them.
By day, the scent of blueberry muffins, double chocolate cranberry scones, pecan-studded cinnamon buns, freshly baked breads and boudin-stuffed croissants drifts out of Lizzie’s on Main, the new European-style bakery from pastry wiz Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hansen, prized for her intricate,…
Hub City Diner owner Jason Redmon has only worked four jobs in his life. The first job was at Subway in his hometown of Bunkie. At age 20, after a rocky attempt at community college, a high school friend needed…
Lately, I've been consuming blueberries as my go-to fruit. I buy a big bag of the frozen ones at Target and top my Greek yogurt with them, making for a cold, healthy snack that is sweeter tasting than before but…
If you need a break from the abundance of crawfish in your life, or just an excuse to make a delicious shrimp dish, the perfect day for you is coming. May 10 is National Shrimp Day. I'm not sure how…
For Lynn Jenkins, co-owner and creative director of Taco Sisters in Lafayette, food has always been a love language. Her early influences were Martha Stewart, whose culinary and homemaking creativity felt “both elevated and attainable,” and later, Julia Child and…
Now celebrating its first anniversary, the long-awaited Shucks Louisiana Seafood House in Lake Charles emulates the spirit of the original Shucks in Abbeville. Opened in 1995, the iconic Abbeville landmark has been beloved for its fresh local oysters, Gulf seafood…
It isn’t just about reducing sugar in a recipe or using low fat milk instead of cream. It’s about making healthy choices and thinking of making the food as flavorful as possible. How can we make our food surprisingly good…
Richard and Lori Hurst, the husband-and-wife team behind Poor Boy’s Inn Riverside Inn in Broussard, foster a legacy dating back to 1932. When Richard’s grandfather, Hulo “Poor Boy” Landry, developed an allergy to flour from working at the Evangeline Maid…
As Lent settles in following the indulgent whirl of Carnival season, Houma's Ember Kitchen + Cocktails has unveiled a new entrant in the city’s fast-rising zero-proof movement. Bar manager, Deanna Scott, leans into that trend with her latest creation, the…
The holiday season is ramping up. This is a time for joy, celebration, giving, friends, family – but, mostly, it's time for snacking. Whether it’s bonding with Grandpa over which pre-dinner dish on the table is the best, or using…
Your curated Acadiana Holiday Drinks list from local favorite spots is here! Holiday parties are in full swing as 2025 comes to a close. The pressure is on. Will you meet the expectations that last year's host set at the…
Karlos Knott, co-owner, chef and president (though he doesn’t really go by that last title) of Bayou Teche Brewing and Cajun Saucer pizza in Arnaudville, spends his work days and nights thinking about and making beer and pizza. What does…
The seasonally inspired Banana Nut Old Fashioned is the perfect cocktail for crisp autumn days. Created at 531 Liberty Café by mixologist Gina Domangue, it echoes the warm and inviting flavors of fall baking with cinnamon, brown sugar, nuts and…
Whether or not you’ve heard of Jolie Meaux, it’s possible that you’ve eaten her food at a restaurant pop-up or sipped a cocktail she crafted during a bartending shift. Maybe you’ve landed on the Acadiana native’s long-running blog “Porch Wine…
As summer wanes and September ushers in the peak of hurricane season, Ruffino’s Back Porch cocktail provides a perfect counterpoint to the lingering heat. Bright, zesty notes offer a crisp, refreshing first sip. The bracing libation includes a hibiscus ice…
In Acadiana, we have an abundance of fresh ingredients available year-round. If you use fresh fruits or vegetables, consider adding a few ice cubes to keep your smoothie cold. If the produce you desire isn’t in season, you can always…
It’s way past happy hour and the blistering sun is melting into twilight. You’re by the pool or on the porch, craving a sweet, ice-cold cocktail and some fresh seafood. Consider the Coastal Berry Crush, a fruity summertime sipper from…
Much like beginning musicians learn by imitating the music and style of musical masters of the craft, chefs learn at the knees of family members and under the tutelage of expert cooks, chefs and culinary school instructors — or sometimes…
It’s time to raise your glass to spring with a new tequila cocktail from Spoonbill Watering Hole’s bar manager, Tanner Dimmick. A revered mixologist, Dimmick is also known as one of the celebrated Gravy Boys, partnered with Vestal’s chef Sullivan…
Let’s face it, we are hardwired to want to eat more in winter. Although early humans might have needed to put on weight in the winter, when food was harder to come by and to stave off the cold, we…
Most of us have heard about masked revelers chasing chickens and gathering ingredients for a gumbo during Cajun country Mardi Gras, but what happens after the masks come off? Communal gumbos are a traditional end to long runs through the…
