Louisiana Eats: A Cajun Street Journey & Competition Enjoyable

The climate is cooling down right here in Louisiana, which implies outside occasions are heating up throughout our state. Out on the Cajun Prairie, Le Grand Hoorah, a competition devoted to the music, meals, and tradition of the individuals of Acadiana, is arising November 1st. The annual occasion turns 10 this 12 months – and to have a good time, Louisiana Eats brings you highlights from our highway journey to attend Le Grand Hoorah in 2017.

We start in downtown Mamou, the place our gracious host Valerie Cahill provides us a grand welcome on the historic Hotel Cazan. After grabbing breakfast down the highway on the charming Krazy Cajun Cafe, we cross the road to go to Mamou’s world-famous dancing and ingesting vacation spot, Fred’s Lounge. Over spicy Bloody Marys and low cost beer, Camille Fonteneau talks to us in regards to the essential position the native AM radio station KVPI has performed locally and in her life.

On our technique to La Grand Hoorah, we be taught why Ville Platte holds the title of “Smoked Meat Capital of the World.” We make a pit cease at Paul’s Meat Market and Grocery, the place many locals and out-of-towners buy their meat. We then meet Kermit Miller, the person behind “the barbecue sauce with a Cajun accent,” Jack Miller’s Barbecue Sauce. Continuing a household custom begun by his father Jack in 1955, Kermit’s household recipe has discovered a following throughout the nation.

Finally, we arrive at Chicot State Park, the place a whole bunch of individuals from round Louisiana, and the world, had been gathered for Le Grand Hoorah. We hear music performances by Cajun children and meet the brains behind the competition, Gilbert “Winkie” Aucoin. Winkie explains why he’s devoted to the preservation of his tradition. We additionally eat our weight in cracklins and boudin, because of the tireless efforts of people like Toby Ryder, an professional within the artwork of conventional Cajun boucherie.

We finish our present by studying about NOLA Nite Market, one other outside Louisiana occasion taking place in Westwego on November 14th and fifteenth. The night bazaar incorporates a plethora of genuine Asian avenue meals created by native mother and pop eating places – full with stay music and artisan wares. NOLA Nite Market founder Thuy Pham tells us what to anticipate on the nighttime fete.

For extra of all issues Louisiana Eats, be sure you go to us at PoppyTooker.com.