Five Chefs Making Their Mark in Acadiana Pg

Best Chefs

Five Chefs Making Their Mark in Acadiana pg. 36 Chef Amanda Cusey puts a Louisiana spin on Italian cuisine

Tops of Acadiana Your favorite restaurants, live music venues, boutiques and more! pg. 48

Fall Travel Discover What’s New in New Orleans pg. 56

Getting Down to Business Acadiana is a hotbed for startups pg. 62

acadianaprofile.com | 3 4 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 5 features Célébrer le mode de vie acadien

36 Winner of favorite best chefs steakhouse, Café Josephine’s steak, By cheré coen Photographs by more on page 49 romero and romero

48 2017 tops of acadiana

By will kalec and fritz esker Select Photographs by denny culbert

56 a guide to new new orleans

By amy gabriel

62 acadiana-born businesses

By megan romer

contents october/november 2017 | volume 36, number 5

10 lagniappe A little Extra food+drink

12 27 note de l’editeur sur le menu Editor’s Note Seasonal Shift: Welcoming autumn with soothing soups, 14 nouvelles de villes stews, gumbos and oysters at News Briefs their peak

15 30 le visiter de la cuisine Calendar of Events Mollusk Memories: Oysters three ways to share and savor

34 recettes de cocktails Whip It Good: Enjoy a sweet, smooth, syrup-laced cocktail with home+style holiday spices on the water’s edge

17 la maison A Tale of Two Farms: An architectural restoration in Opelousas harkens back to region’s early settlers culture 22 pour la maison 75 All Wrapped Up: We’ve got you les artistes covered with soft, chic throw The House That Cajun Homes blankets Built: Ted Bertrand’s downtown Sunset gallery makes space for his 24 À la mode paintings and the work of other Give ‘em the Boot: Tall, short, flat local artists or heeled, boots are your must-have fall staple 80 la musique Legacy Lost: Musician Sean Ardoin remembers vibrant Miller’s Zydeco Hall of Fame in On the Cover Opelousas

Chef Amanda Cusey is one 84 of our five picks for the 2017 les personnes installment of Best Chefs. Catch Her If You Can: The Acadiana is of course rich need for speed sprouted in with both homegrown and Lafayette race car driver Sarah transplanted kitchen masters Montgomery at an early age who are flush with talent and find endless forms of inspiration to fuel their innovation. Cusey 88 helms the back of the house en français, s’il vous plaît at The Villa in Lake Charles. Les Ailes Au-Dessus de Originally from Arizona, Cusey l’Acadiana moved to Lake Charles with family after a stint in Ireland. Read her story on page 38.

lagniappe

Learn French

F ricot (n.) hash, ragout. Now that we are moving from summer sun to fall example: temperatures, what is your favorite comfort food Je suis dans la cuisine avec ma grand-mère restaurant and what do you order? après faire une grosse chaudière de fricot. translation:

Editor in Chief Errol Laborde I’m in the kitchen with my grandmother Managing Editor Melanie Warner Spencer making a big pot of fricot. “Bon Temps Ashley McLellan Grill’s ‘Short Rib Associate Editor Fricassee’ over Copy Editor Liz Clearman jalapeño cheese Art Director Sarah George grits has the Lead Photographer Danley Romero “The duck leg perfect savory confit at The Web Editor Kelly Massicot Did You Know? flavor for day or Saint Street Inn night dining.” in Lafayette has Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan warm, autumnal Fricot is a traditional French Acadian comfort (504) 830-7215 flavors and is food, handed down by the Cajuns of Nova Scotia. the perfect [email protected] Fricot is traditionally made with whatever leftover sized portion. vegetables, meat or seafood were available, and Sales Manager Rebecca Taylor I could eat it potatoes, instead of a roux, as a thickener in every day.” (337) 298-4424 a long, slow simmering pot. The word “fricot” (337) 235-7919 Ext. 230 can be translated to mean “grub” in English, [email protected] but an even older translation is “feast.”

— Ashley McClellan Director of Marketing & Events Cheryl Lemoine Event Coordinator Whitney Weathers digital media associate mallary Matherne F or event information call (504) 830-7264 “There are so many great restaurants, Production manager Jessica DeBold Behind The Scenes it’s impossible to Production Designers monique DiPietro pick just one! But, Demi Schaffer anywhere I go, gumbo Molly Tullier is my ‘must have’ comfort dish. Nothing Topher Balfer Traffic Coordinator says fall like football Distribution Manager John Holzer and a heaping bowl of office manager mallary Matherne smoked chicken (or Subscription Manager Brittani Bryant duck) and sausage gumbo with a rich, F or subscriptions call (504) 830-7231 dark roux. It’s like cashmere for your Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne palate!” President Alan Campell Executive Vice President Errol Laborde

Contributor Cheré Coen is pictured here interviewing one of Acadiana Profile’s 2017 Best Chefs, Chef Amanda Cusey of The Villa in Lake 2016S AWARD Charles. Coen says they are discussing Cusey’s

A ward of Merit to Melanie Warner Spencer for Single Story move to Lake Charles from Ireland. Cusey told Award of Merit to Danley Romero for Single photo Coen Ireland gave her a month of time off, so Bronze to Will Kalec for Magazine Writer of the Year Bronze to Danley Romero for Portrait Series she traveled all over Europe and had fabulous Silver to Denny Culbert for Photo Series experiences there, but her parents wanted Gold to Denny Culbert for Magazine Photographer of the Year Gold to Sarah George for Art Direction of a Single Story her home. They wanted to retire someplace Gold to Sarah George for Overall Art Direction warm and her father got a job in Lake Charles. Finalist for Magazine of the Year Cusey says Louisiana took some getting used to, but she has been here a year and loves it.

Renaissance Publishing LLC • 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123 • Metairie, LA 70005 • (504) 828-1380 • (877) 221-3512 128 Demanade, Suite 104 • Lafayette, LA 70503 • (337) 235-7919 ext. 230 Like us on Facebook (facebook.com/acadianaprofile) and follow us on Twitter (@acadianaprofile) Acadiana Profile (ISSN 0001-4397) is published bimonthly by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 and 128 for daily updates, happenings in the area Demanade, Suite 104, Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 235-7919 ext. 230. Subscription rate: One year $10; Foreign Subscriptions vary. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA, and additional mailing entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Acadiana Profile, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2017 Renaissance and other news! Please consider our planet and Publishing LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark Acadiana Profile is registered. Acadiana Profile is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in Acadiana Profile are recycle this (and every) magazine. those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or owner.

10 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 11 note de l’editeur sales team

A s I’m writing this on a 75-degree day at the beginning of September, I have a strong urge to unearth boots and scarves stowed away since last year. Fighting this urge however is essential, because we all know there are plenty of hot days to come before the summer heat truly drops off and we stroll in all of our booted and scarved glory into fall. If we are lucky we stroll — donning our autumnal best — into fabulous restaurants, quaint coffee shops, stylish Rebecca Taylor boutiques and the other Acadiana businesses we hold up as our tried-and-true Sales Manager favorites. We know you have favorites, because you’ve shared them with us by (337) 298-4424 voting in the annual Tops of Acadiana feature. On page 48, we’ve tallied your (337) 235-7919 Ext. 230 votes and are sharing the results, so don’t miss this year’s crop of Tops. Be sure [email protected] to celebrate the winners with us at the Tops of Acadiana party on Oct. 17 at The Madison in Broussard. The October/November issue is always fun, not only because of the Tops feature, but also because it’s when we reveal the region’s best chefs. After much deliberation, the editorial staff narrows it down to a select group of five individuals at the top of their game. In an area known for its food, this is no small feat. We think you’ll agree that this lineup is one talented bunch of folks. If you haven’t already tried their restaurants, now is your chance. There is truly something for everyone. This entire issue is one that I always keep handy, because it’s a veritable guide to the best in Acadiana’s dining, entertainment and more. This is, of course, in no way a comprehensive list when it comes to this place we all love. There are enough bests and tops in Cajun Country to fill volumes, but we do hope that this year’s lists will offer a nice appetizer to get you through the buffet line of fun and food that is Acadiana.

Melanie Warner Spencer, Managing Editor (504) 830-7239 | [email protected] Colleen Monaghan Vice President of Sales (504) 830-7215 [email protected]

12 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 13 nouvelles de villes b y lisa leblanc-berry

Osso Bucco from Midway on the Square A cadiana Investors Looking for Ideas

Innov8 Acadiana has opened applications for a new business commercialization accelerator program, Accelerate Acadiana, and is seeking applicants from companies of all sizes looking to expand. Aspiring business owners will meet over 200 investors motivated to partner with founders, short and long term. There’s office space and ongoing business training at the Opportunity Machine, one of Louisiana’s most successful incubators (read more about it on page 62), and industry connections to executives of mega companies and events like social mixers, where angel investors meet people with ideas (innov8acadiana.org).

Abb eville N ew Iberia New Restaurant, Piano Bar, Dancing and Big Eggs Smell that Roux Dark for 12 years, one of the oldest buildings in downtown Abbeville was recently renovated and has reopened as Midway on the Square (midwayitaliansteaks.com) In the cool autumn featuring upscale Italian fare (recommended: crawfish cannelloni, grilled duck breast air, you can smell the with portabella demi-cream). Gabe Broussard, the owner’s blues-singing teenage tantalizing aroma of son, had Miley Cyrus and Blake Shelton fighting over him to be his coach last year dark roux simmering on NBC’s “The Voice” (he chose Blake) and he appears occasionally to perform at with the trinity in giant Midway, which overlooks picturesque Magdalen Square (the setting for October- cast iron pots as you December holiday events). A first for Abbeville isK evin’s Piano Bar (kevinsbar. enter downtown New com), which opened with a grand piano, outdoor tables, an antique mahogany bar Iberia and head to Main and is located near the A. Hays Town courthouse featuring live bands weekends Street for the World and bar bites like muffulettas and coconut cake. Oct. 12-15 brings the Cattle Championship Gumbo Festival’s Fais-Do-Do and a street fair right in front of the historic courthouse, Cook-Off Oct. 14-15 L ake Charles a trail ride and barn dance, a children’s parade and local bands (cattlefestival. featuring 100 teams From Russia with Love org). Top chefs from Canada, France, New Caledonia, Belgium, Argentina, Belgium competing (professional and Louisiana meet in Abbeville and lead a big Sunday procession through town, and amateur, each cook and end up at a 12-foot cast iron pan where they’ll crack 5,033 eggs, melt 52 must make a minimum The Moscow Ballet celebrates pounds of butter and cook a giant crawfish omelette and a smaller children’s of 60 quarts for visitors 25 years performing the Great omelette (free to the public with Poupart’s French bread) with a Cajun band and to sample) and a youth Russian Nutcracker and they dancing to celebrate Abbeville’s French heritage during the international Giant cook-off (facebook. arrive Nov. 10 for a performance Omelette Celebration Nov.4-5 that includes a tour of homes, antiques, art and com/gumbocookoff). at the Lake Charles Civic Center, foods show, Kids World and the Tabasco Girl’s dance team (giantomelette.org). featuring larger than life puppets, dolls and gorgeous costumes. (tickets: 800-745-3000)

H ouma Festival Oct. 13-15. Stay and Fights jam session until the wee C amping, Jamming, camp with a tent or RV to enjoy hours. Children can enjoy the the late-night jam sessions after small animal zoo in the kid’s Cool Music Link Flying the main stage closes (campers area (voiceofthewetlands.org). need to sign up). Music kicks Popular with festivalgoers is Newly compiled by British off Friday night with Johnny flying over the bayous and Head to the Ponderosa in the researcher Nick Leigh, there’s Vidacovich, George Porter and swamps with Hammonds Air wetlands of Terrebonne parish a downloadable discography of Brian Stoltz, followed by Tab Service (tip: they tell great (5403 West Park, Houma) for Cajun recordings made between Benoit and more for the Guitar stories; 985-876-0584). the Voice of the Wetlands 1946-1989 (bluesandrhythm. co.uk/Cajun-records).

14 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 calendar around acadiana

Bon temps in and around Cajun Country

b y kelly massicot

October 6-8. Tour du Teche 135. Breaux Bridge. tourduteche.com 6-8. Lake Charles Film & Music Festival. Lake Charles. lakecharlesfilmfestival.com 7-8. Germanfest. Roberts Cove. robertscovegermanfest.com 10-15. Louisiana Cotton Festival. Ville Platte. louisianacottonfestival.com 12-15. Festivals Acadiens et Creoles. Lafayette. festivalsacadiens.com 14-15. Gumbo Cook-Off. New Iberia. iberiachamber. org/gumbo-cookoff 18. St. Martin Creole Farmers Market Chariot Parade. St. Martinville. stmartinville.org 19-22. International Rice Festival. Crowley. ricefestival.com 21. Boudin Cook-Off. Lafayette. boudincookoff.com 21. Shake Your Trail Feather Festival. Breaux Bridge. [email protected] 21. Chuck Fest. Lake Charles. chuckfest.org 21. Culture Fest Louisiana. Lake Charles. culturefestlouisiana.com 28. Sweet Dough Pie Festival. Grand Coteau. sweetdoughgc.com 28. Harvest Moon Festival. Franklin. franklin-la. com/recreation-festivals.php 28. Boudin Wars 2017. Sulphur.

November 1. Museum in Motion. UL Dance Department Showcase. Lafayette. hilliardmuseum.org 2-4. Festival of Words. Grand Cotea. festivalofwords.org 3-5. Holy Ghost Creole Festival Bazaar. Opelousas. holyghostcreolefestival.com 4-5. Steampunk and Makers Fair. Lafayette. steampunk-festival.org 4-5. Giant Omelette Celebration. Abbeville. giantomelette.org 9-12. Port Barre Cracklin Festival. Port Barre. cracklinfestival.com 10. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Lake Charles. nutcracker.com 11. Poetry Workshop with Jack Bedell. Lafayette. hilliardmuseum.org 11-12. Flea Fest. Lake Charles. fleafest.com 16-19. Southern Screen Film Festival. Lafayette. southernscreen.org 22. Camellia Crossing. Acadiana’s Gleaux Run. Lafayette. milesperret.org 25. Everybody’s Birthday Zydeco Celebration. Grand Coteau. facebook.com/saveourcommunitycenter 25. Grand Noel. Grand Coteau. grandcoteau.org 26. Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. New Iberia. iberiacultural.com

acadianaprofile.com | 15 16 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 home+Style Inspiration, décoration et acce ssoires chic pour la vie

la maison a tale of two farms

An architectural restoration in Opelousas harkens back to region’s early settlers

By Lisa LeBlanc-Berry | Photos by chad chenier home+style la maison

Descendants of the early French settlers of Opelousas, Clyde and Chanda LaVergne decided to become stewards of their family’s circa-1847 French Creole farmhouse in 2004. One year later, it was beautifully restored to reflect the original style. It is the only structure remaining from this time period in Opelousas. Chanda’s great-great-great previous page Daughter Bethany’s grandfather, Theodore Bourque, built the original bedroom is one of cypress dwelling with a sturdy, hipped roof and the two original 18-inch corner boards to withstand hurricanes. 1847 rooms in the A native of France, Bourque moved to the house. left A bar back custom hutch from Acadian frontier during the antebellum era, when Chanda’s father’s small farms dotted the landscape, horse-drawn pub in Sunset is carriages were seen about town and before the on display in the Civil War and first railroad began modernizing 50-foot-long hallway. The dining room was this predominately French Catholic culture. in a detached building Two years prior to Bourque’s arrival in the territory from the 1870s, and of Opelousas, Clyde’s great-great-great grandfather, Every Saturday, the Bourques hosted a ritual was connected to Eugene LaVergne, built a similar French Creole boucherie, resulting in copious amounts of pork or beef. the home in 1910. Its circa-1840s stained- farmhouse nearby. Like many other homes that On Sunday, the two families would alternate hosting glass church windows perished in the parish due to hurricanes, war or the weekly dance on their front porch, followed by create vibrant light the Great Depression, Eugene’s house burned to competing in two-wheel sulky horse races, a tradition patterns on the early the ground in 1901. A new home emerged after that continued into the 1940s. 20th-century-dining room table made his neighbors threw a customary house-raising Common sensibilities prevailed as the descen- from parts of a bed followed by a feast. The Bourques raised livestock dants adapted to the New World. Born in New and scrap lumber. and frequently shared their bounty with friends. Orleans in 1743, Eugene’s father, Louis, was

18 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 the first in his family to brave the frontier by house is not only a great example of one that survived, moving to Opelousas from the Crescent City. His but one that survived and evolved.” grandfather, Count delaVergne, migrated to New Clyde’s brother, Ken lovingly restored the 3,000 Orleans from France while his family remained at square-foot house and brought it up to 5,400 square- the delaVergne chateau in southwest France. feet with the addition of a master suite. A devoted “Two direct descendants from these properties history buff known for meticulously restoring some of married and moved into the only house in the area that the most significant historic landmarks in Acadiana, survived,” says architect Ken delaVergne, who retained Ken retained the initial architectural elements in the the original French spelling of the family name. “This house that had remained untouched, while making

acadianaprofile.com | 19 20 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 major modifications. He was assisted by Paige LaVergne of La Vie Designs. “You can actually see the evolution of the house,” says Ken. “Anything that survived, even plantations, had to evolve. We took it back to the 1870s because it had multiple styles. We redid the columns that were altered in 1910, and put square columns to match the wide corner boards from the original style of the house in the 1870s. Some of the 1870s interior doors were retained, as well as an original 1840s pantry with an asymmetrical window. Ken also reconstructed the original 1870s turned columns on the two rear porches. In the study, he added a 22-foot-long floor-to- left Ken added ceiling bookcase and kept one rustic windows and removed walls wall that was original to the house, to open up the completely intact and unpainted. kitchen with Eight large stained-glass 1870s flooring windows were purchased from a and a mid-1800s circa 1840s Grand Couteau church. island. top right He designed the They were installed in the dining converted attic room, along with a round stained master bath glass window that parishioners with 11-foot-wide called the “Eye of God.” Ken dormers. bottom right Original gave it a home in the archway of a wide-plank walls generous foyer. from the 1870s. “Chanda feels a real connection to this house, because of the fond memories of spending time with her grandmother here,” Ken says. “We’ve heard so many stories from our parents and grandparents about the horse and buggy days.” He fondly remembers zany races in diminutive, wobbly, one-rider buggies. “My grandfather had a race track on our property and there was another one on the Bourque property After the Sunday races, they had big picnics with huge pork sandwiches, homemade cakes and cookies. They became the closest of neighbors and shared just about everything.” Religious traditions were also shared and observed, including no-meat Fridays. “We had egg and potato stew. That’s if you didn’t catch any seafood and you were a Catholic,” Ken says. “On Saturday, it was always the best fresh meat because of the boucherie, but anything beyond Monday was salted meat put down in the well. That’s if you didn’t manage to kill any ducks during the week.” The LaVergnes are continuing the tradition of hosting family gathering at their 18-foot-long dining table that has been passed down from generation to generation. Paying it forward with an eye on the next 170 years, they have evolved as keepers of the flame.

acadianaprofile.com | 21 home+style pour la maison

all wrapped up Fiery tones of rust and brick We’ve got you covered with soft, chic throw blankets interweave in this wool blanket from b y ashely hinson | photo by romero & Romero Bassett Home Furnishings. As warm as your favorite coat, this piece’s colors come together to form what is sure to be an autumnal staple.

Break up the deep and dark tones of the season with this stunning throw from Paul Michael. Made with the softest acrylic, its modern ikat print This throw from has tawny brown, Amity Home is soft gray and warm an understated, winter white. A muted cocoa. light, yet lush style. The 100 percent cotton fibers provide breathability, and its straight line stitch gives it just the right amount of classic details. Bassett Home Furnishings

Sometimes, This gorgeous something simple eggshell blanket is all you need. by A&B home is This cool, ash sure to brighten gray blanket up your mood from The Royal and living room. Standard has a Like the softest slightly fuzzy sweater, it comes texture that will in an acrylic cable keep you warm, knit. Paul Michael and its thin design ensures easy storage in warmer temperatures.

What says home better than a chunky knit throw? Bassett Home Furnishings This sprawling blanket’s thick 501 Acadiana Mall Circle, Lafayette cotton is supple 337-735-1000. bassettfurniture.com and urbane. A Paul Michael household staple 1800 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette gets the update it deserves in an 337-981-1289. paulmichaelcompany.com elegant wash The Royal Standard of slate gray. 2015 Johnston St., Lafayette Bassett Home Furnishings 337-289-1144. theroyalstandard.com

22 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 23 home+style À la mode give ‘em the boot

Tall, short, flat or heeled, boots are your must-have fall staple

b y ashley hinson | photo by romero & Romero

Pairing a refined design with an unexpected neutral exudes Trendy colors are effortlessness. These khaki as ephemeral as ankle boots from Dolce Vita their seasons, but come in a pliable suede that black is abiding. Don’t be afraid pairs well with the cozier These Vince. of heights. Over- textures of fall. Perfectly styled thigh-highs come the-knee styles with jeans or tights. Hemline in perfect black are more versatile leather that forms than ever, and in an unyieldingly you can’t go confident and wrong with the sexy shape. sumptuous brown The high heel leather in this will add a sleek pair of Frye boots. finish to your fall Wear them out wardrobe. Kiki of the store, and you won’t want to take them off all fall. Shoe La La An adorable update on the light-colored ankle boots of the ‘60s, these Dee Keller Olive is booties come everywhere. in the softest Extend the light gray suede. shade from A delicate army-inspired string goes jackets to these through a single ankle boots golden eye and from Vince. wraps at the Luxurious ankle, finishing suede envelops a darling a classic lace- design with a up style that’s bow. Amor punctuated by a very ‘70s midi heel. Kiki

A warm, cinereous gray is hard to find. Look no further than these H.S. Trask boots from Hemline, which pairs a classic shape with utilitarian details. The thick heel features a rubber traction outsole, and prominent buckles top off the sturdy style. Shoe La La

Shoe La La, 1921 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, 337-984-8618. shoelala.net Hemline, 1910 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, 337-406-1119. hemlinelafayette.com Kiki, 1910 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, 337-406-0904. shopkikionline.com Amor, 500 Settlers Trace Blvd., Lafayette, 337-456-1932. amorlafayette.com

24 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 25 26 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 food+drink Ça c’est bon

Creamy Oyster Stew from Shucks!

sur le menu seasonal shift

Welcoming autumn with soothing soups, stews, gumbos and oysters at their peak

b y Jyl Benson | Photos by denny culbert food+drink sur le menu

Bonus Bite

The Carriage House Inn, located in the heart of the River Ranch neighborhood, has spacious rooms that are modern and tastefully decorated. It is also conveniently located within short walking distance of numerous shops, restaurants and bars, plus use of the amenities at the City Club is offered to guests during their stay. Staycation, anyone? Pour Restaurant and Wine Bar is located just across a grassy courtyard. The restaurant is popular with oenophiles while the bar, open until 1 a.m. on weekends, is always crowded with sports enthusiasts watching the game.

With the first hint of cooler air arriving in Acadiana, those who have tired of chilled this and grilled that are quick to embrace the hearty, long-simmered dishes they were so quick to flee back in the spring. The area’s rotating bounty of seafood, game and produce keep our seasonal transi- tions far more exciting than merely going from cold applications to hot ones of the same ingredients. In spring we embrace crawfish season, crabs come on strong in the summertime and oysters are at their peak in fall, plus the onset of hunting season brings fresh options to the cool weather table. The extensive menu at Shucks! in Abbeville is reliably robust and diverse. Plump, briny charbroiled oysters are offered in six different varieties ranging from the traditional garlic, butter and cheese rendi- tion to my personal favorite, candied oysters broiled under a heady bath of crumbled feta and bleu cheeses, as well as a sugarcane and pepper glaze made with Steen’s syrup from Jimmy Steen’s place a few blocks away. The smoked duck and andouille gumbo evolves to its bowl-ready state over a 12-hour process upon a foundation of velvety dark roux hearty enough to unite the smoked meats crowding the bowl. A small bowl of the lush, decadent oyster stew enriched with heavy cream is an elegant way to start a meal. Add the optional andouille sausage to the mix and the stew becomes a complete meal. Shucks! crawfish etouffee is nothing fancy. There is no need. Based on a thick roux the color of peanut butter, the

28 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 complex flavors in the bowl are achieved through a fine balance of spices and aromatics that give up their individual identities to offer up support for the dense profusion of plump crawfish which were harvested from the Atchafalaya Basin at the height of their season. A few short blocks away the menu at Park Restaurant is far less ambitious, but the crowds filling the small diner are no less robust. Prices at this mom-and-pop spot top out at $12.99 for a seafood platter and a large bowl filled to the brim with freshly made vegetable beef soup can be had for a thrifty $4.99. Head southeast to Laplace to the on-site restaurant at Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse to enjoy the family recipes Jared Zeringue brought with him when he bought the heritage business two years ago. He grew up on the family farm in Vacherie and has incorporated a number of “River Road things” onto the menu. In the garlic sausage stew, small chunks of potato and carrot absorb the flavor of the house-made garlic smoked sausage while swimming in a broth enriched with a light roux. Order either the smoked chicken and andouille gumbo or the seafood gumbo (shrimp, crabmeat and okra) and discover a variety that is dramatically different from those farther west. In this part of the region the roux is lighter and the ratio of thickener to broth is lower making for light, broth-y varieties that leave room for something else — like Jared’s peanut butter pie. While out of season now, real deal, nearly-impossible-to-find crawfish bisque made with stuffed heads is offered on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at WJ’s during Easter week in the spring so mark your calendars.

Carriage House Inn 603 Silverstone Road, Lafayette 337-769-8400, cityclubatriverranch.com Park Restaurant 204 Park Ave., Abbeville 337-893-9957 Candied Oysters Pour Cocktail from 1 Degaulle Square, Lafayette Shucks! 337-981-8085, eatatpour.com Shucks! 701 W Port St., Abbeville 337-898-3311, goeatshucks.com Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse Restaurant 769 A West Fifth St., LaPlace 985-652-9990, wjsmokehouse.com

acadianaprofile.com | 29 food+drink de la cuisine

mollusk memories

Oysters three ways to share and savor

b y marcelle bienvenu photo & styling by eugenia uhl

Oyster Bordelaise F or years, my husband and Then there are those who like I had an annual fall ritual. to squeeze lemon juice over When the first cold front blew their oysters, and crackers — in from the west, we jumped more often than a cocktail fork into our pickup truck and — are the vehicles by which wiggled our way through the oysters get from the tray to backroads of three parishes mouth. Nothing but cold beer to get to the now shuttered will do to wash it all down. Black’s in Abbeville. It seemed One of the greatest oyster that half the population of experiences I had in New Acadiana had the same idea Orleans was when a neighbor because the place was filled invited me to a family to capacity. While we waited gathering where they were for a table, we each enjoyed a prepared to open a sack of dozen oysters on the half shell oysters and put them in a taken at the crowded bar. At variety of delectable dishes. the table we chowed down on I remember too, even further a couple of dozen fried and back in my life, when on went on to an old favorite, Friday afternoons, Papa would oysters Bordelaise, in which visit his old friend, Frank they are broiled and swimming “Banane” Foti who had a stand in a heavenly garlic-butter in St. Martinville where one sauce. Though our appetite could get roasted peanuts, fresh was sated, we often brought vegetables and freshly shucked home a couple of quarts of oysters. Mr. Banane packed shucked oysters swimming in the oysters in small white card- their liquor. board boxes with wire handles, When I lived in New which Papa would then store Orleans, there weren’t too in the refrigerator for a Friday many Fridays that didn’t find night feast after the local high me bellying up, standing school football game. elbow to elbow with my fellow Papa, and usually a couple diners, at the marble counters of uncles, would gather around behind which shuckers pried the kitchen table. I was allowed open countless oysters to fill to put my stool next to Papa the orders during the lunch and watch the ritual of the hour. I had a favorite shucker men mixing up their cocktail who knew that I preferred sauce in little paper cups. The the small ones and would white containers of cold oysters not stop my line up of them were passed around and around until I finally gave him a as the men jabbed the oysters, nod when I had my fill. I dipped them in sauce and experienced a host of other tossed them back. I watched oyster dishes at Antoine’s, in amazement, but then I was Brennan’s and Arnaud’s. not quite ready to put the gray, I often watched purists slurp slimy mollusks in my mouth. the oysters straight out of the I did, from time to time, dip a shell with no adornments. couple of crackers in Papa’s cup Others, myself included, of sauce into which he poured preferred to douse them in a a little oyster juice. custom-made sauce of ketchup, The following recipes should hot sauce, a splash of olive oil satisfy the cravings of even the and a hefty dab of horseradish. most insatiable oyster lover.

acadianaprofile.com | 31 De la cuisine

Steak with Oysters Chicken & Oyster Pie

This is a favorite of mine. When This recipe is one I treasure. It was there’s bit of chill in the air, I love given to me by a dear friend, the nothing better than sitting on my late, great Keith Courrégé. The screened-in porch overlooking trick to these pies is to drain the Bayou Teche with a tall scotch and oysters, then blot them well with soda in my hand, and having my paper towel, and reserve the oyster husband grill some steaks topped liquor. with oysters and mushrooms. 3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose Creole seasoning flour For each steak: 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced 1 cup chopped green onions 2 tablespoons butter ½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves 3 tablespoons green onions, chopped 2½ dozen freshly shucked oysters, drained, oyster liquor reserved 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped 2 whole chicken breasts, deboned, 6-12 oysters (depending on size), skinned, cooked, and cut into drained bite-sized pieces 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⅛ teaspoon Tabasco sauce 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice pinch of thyme leaves 2-3 dashes Tabasco 1 bay leaf Creole seasoning to taste 1 can (10 count) biscuits dash of dry sherry Preheat oven to 400 F. On Season each steak with medium heat, cook the flour in Creole seasoning (my prefer- the butter, stirring constantly, ence if Chef Prudhomme’s until roux turns a rich, deep Meat Magic) and put on a hot brown. Add green onions, grill. celery, and parsley, and cook While the steaks are being stirring, until the vegetables are grilled, cook the mushrooms in limp, about 3 minutes. the butter for a minute or so, Add the chicken and or until they are slightly soft. oysters and cook until edges Add green onions and parsley of the oysters curl. Add oyster and cook, stirring well until liquor and stir until the sauce wilted, about two minutes. thickens. If the gravy becomes Add the oysters and the rest too thick, add a little chicken of the ingredients and cook on broth to thin it. Gently simmer medium heat until edges of until the mixture is bubbly hot. the oysters curl. Top each steak Pour into a 2-quart casserole with the mixture. and top with biscuits. Bake Allow one rib-eye per person until biscuits are puffed and nicely browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings

O ysters Bordelaise

In a small saucepan, and ¼ teaspoon forego the salt). heat 6 tablespoons Tabasco sauce Sprinkle with fresh butter and 1 sauce. Cook, stirring, lemon juice to taste tablespoon olive oil for 2 minutes. and place the pan over medium heat. under the oven broiler Add 1 tablespoon Place 2 dozen raw for 2 to 3 minutes garlic (minced), 1 oysters (drained) in or until the edges tablespoon green a shallow roasting of the oysters curl. onions (minced), 1 pan and pour butter Serve immediately. mixture over them. tablespoon flat-leaf Makes 4 appetizer or 2 parsley, 1 teaspoon Salt to taste (if your main-course servings Worcestershire sauce oysters are salty,

32 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 33 food+drink recettes de cocktails whip it good

Enjoy a sweet, smooth, syrup-laced cocktail with holiday spices on the water’s edge

By Lisa LeBlanc-Berry photo by romero & romero

F all in Abbeville brings the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon-laced yams bubbling in the oven with brown sugar and the caramel-flavored Steen’s cane syrup that’s produced locally from mid-October until Christmas. At RiverFront a Louisiana Grill, people are jump-starting the holidays in the handsome new bar with the recently introduced Spiced Yam Whip cocktail. Warm up near the fireplace with a festive craft cocktail and observe an array of black-and-white photos reflect- ing Abbeville’s storied past or enjoy a drink outside on the patio. This elegant seafood haven opened Spiced Yam Whip Cocktail 120 years after Joseph Dupuy gave birth to the town’s first oyster house in Combine 3 bar spoons Louisiana 1869. His raw bivalves, sold for 5 cents sweet potato puree, a dozen, were served near the banks of 1 oz. Frangelico, the Vermilion bayou. Prior to River- 1½ ounces sweet Front’s devastating fire in September potato vodka and 1½ ounces heavy cream of 2012, patrons overlooked the same in a shaker. Dry stir riverbank while dining. Like a phoenix, to break up sweet a far more beautiful RiverFront arose potato puree. Add ice from the ashes in February, 2016. It was and shake vigorously. Coat the inside of a reborn in a larger, lodge-like building martini glass with with vaulted ceilings, a separate bar swirls of caramel area, a wrap-around screen porch and syrup and strain into a patio where diners could “cut da rug” the glass. Top with whipped cream, a on Saturday mornings to live music on drizzle of caramel the bayou. syrup and a dusting On cool autumn nights, locals gather of Cajun Power in the handsome bar while nibbling on Sweet Treat powder. fire-roasted oyster bubbling with garlic butter and smoked gouda, steaming bowls of sweet corn and crab bisque, and buttery eggplant medallions with plump lump crabmeat blanketed in a luscious, creamy béchamel.

RiverFront a Louisiana Grill 530 Park Ave., Abbeville 337-893-3070 riverfrontla.com

34 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 35 36 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 By Cheré Coen Photographs by Romero & Romero

There was a time when visitors from around the world were drawn to Acadiana for its unique Cajun culinary specialties. That fact remains true, but today what Acadiana’s chefs offer is more a mix of the traditional, the innovative and the international. For the 2017 installment of our Best Chefs feature, we spotlight three chefs who learned the culinary arts in their communities at the elbows of family members and two who bring a special style from abroad. Some obtained their education from formal institutions and others by simply doing. It’s a mixture that still makes Acadiana a unique culinary hub that attracts visitors to our region year after year.

best chefs

acadianaprofile.com | 37 hef Amanda Cusey loved living in Ireland, enjoying the vibrant culinary scene of Dublin and the 28 vacation days awarded every Irish C worker — but her parents wanted to move back to the States and they chose Lake Charles for its warm climate and a job opportunity. Cusey decided to follow family. Though she took her first summer off in Lake Charles, her new home took Beet risotto with some getting used to. After starting work at The Villa, marinated goat a new restaurant in downtown Lake Charles owned by cheese at its center, accented with fresh longtime restauranteur Michael Sperandeo, a heavy rain oven-roasted beets and topped with an flooded the business. aged vinaigrette. That’s when Cusey discovered Acadiana hospitality. “There was this awesome outpouring of support from TIPS FROM THE CHEF the community,” she said. “I was offered so many kitchens to work out of. People here are super nice.” Cusey hails from Flagstaff, Arizona, but received her Le Cordon Bleu training at the Tanté Marie Culinary Acad- emy in Surrey, England. She spent her early years working Never fear in English gastropubs, then an American diner in Ireland, but 1 “Don’t be afraid longed for more upscale expe- of fat. Fat brings a rience and veered into Italian whole bunch of cuisine while working under flavor.” Kristan Burness and Brendan Ward at Fiorentina in Dublin 2 where she ultimately earned “Don’t be afraid of the position of head chef. She weird — it can go worked briefly with Michelin either way, awful or Star Chef Oliver Dunne, helm- awesome. If awful, it’ll be good the ing his Italian-inspired pop-up next time.” restaurant, Eatily, in Dublin’s city center. 3 “It’s been fun,” Cusey said. “Don’t be afraid of “The restaurant business took seasoning.” me all over.” Cusey cooks traditional Italian with Louisiana influences at The Villa, incorporating local seafood in dishes such as the crawfish Pappardelle — crawfish tails in a shellfish bisque with zucchini and cherry tomatoes. One of her favorite dishes is the crab cannelloni, which wraps chilled crabmeat in a tomato jelly with basil mascarpone mousse and roasted cherry tomatoes that’s topped with an aged balsamic. Another favorite is Cusey’s take on barbecue shrimp, utilizing jumbo Gulf shrimp, ’nduja salume that’s equivalent to a spicy prosciutto, garlic, white wine, arugula and red and green peppers with toasted ciabatta for dipping. “I’ll take my French techniques and use Italian ingredients and do some kind of fusion food,” Cusey said. “And we try to use local as much as possible.” The Villa opened earlier this year in the restored Noble Building in downtown Lake Charles by Sperandeo, who operated The Italian Villa restaurant across town for 20 years.

38 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 lake charles CHEF amanda cusey

The Villa 324 Pujo St. 337-436-6251 • thevillaonpujo.com

acadianaprofile.com | 39 SUNSET Chef Troy Bijeaux

Café Josephine 818 Napoleon Ave. 337-662-0008 • cafejosephinesunset.com

40 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 here’s a wavy career line for Chef Troy Bijeaux. He spent time in the oilfield, then worked 20 years in flooring before opening the Napoleon T Avenue Meat Market in Sunset with his wife, Melissa. Then there was the sideline job, cooking up plate

Sea bass over a lunches as fundraisers for Little League teams hoping to crab cake dotted travel to the Little League World Series. with lightly fried onion rings. It all led to him closing the meat market and turning the space in the heart of Sunset into Café Josephine. Today, the restaurant he calls “fine-food casual dining” draws in customers from miles around — as far as Alexandria and Eunice. “We are truly a hidden desti- TIPS FROM THE CHEF nation — people just enjoy the ambiance and the staff is incred- ible,” Bijeaux said. “We’re their hidden gem, quality food for an average price.” It’s all about freshness and consistency, Bijeaux said. He uses Chicago prime beef, hydroponic lettuce from Breaux Bridge and brings locally sourced and Murder what it's Points oysters for the restaurant’s all about new snazzy oyster bar. In addition to menu items that 1 include such traditional South “It’s not what you Louisiana dishes as gumbo, put in biscuits, it’s crab cakes and a seafood platter, how you stir the biscuit dough, how Bijeaux loves to shake things up. you fold them.” “Life’s about choices,” he said. “On any given day, we have five 2 to seven specials. That allows me “It’s important to to have my creative energy.” talk to customers, Café Josephine is known for to make them Bijeaux’s biscuits that appear on feel comfortable. the table in place of bread. The Without my cheesy, soft-on-the-inside mini customers, I can’t biscuits are cooked fresh and live my dream.” arrive on the table hot. Bijeaux 3 took a beloved biscuit recipe and “It’s about giving “did a twist on it” to create this people quality fresh crowd pleaser. food.” “People come from all over to taste the biscuits,” Bijeaux said. “It’s a little cloud of heaven.” One of the restaurant’s specialties is the crackling biscuit topped with a fried chicken breast strip that’s drizzled with a Steen’s Syrup and bacon cream sauce. For meat lovers, the “Big Chop” grills a thick pork chop in an orange juice reduction and tops the dish with a fig sauce. Bottom line, Bijeaux insists, it’s all about serving a quality, consistent product. “And we put a lot of love in our food,” he concluded. “It’s about living a dream. I’ll never work another day in my life because I’m living a dream.”

acadianaprofile.com | 41 Sweet potato- crusted trout, topped with lump crabmeat and served over asparagus in a lemon-basil butter sauce.

TIPS FROM THE CHEF isit Bailey’s Seafood & Grill and Ema’s Cafe in Lafayette and you’ll V find walls filled with accolades, everything from the Louisiana Restaurant Associa- tion’s “Restaurateur of the Year” according award to the 1998 Best of Show to ema award from the Louisiana Gold Culinary Classic. And yet when 1 owner and chef Ema Haq arrived “Keep it simple. It at the University of Southwestern doesn’t take too Louisiana (now the University of much to create Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1983, cooking was the farthest homebound and those in need. Haq and a large group something. You thing from his mind. of volunteers invite diners to the restaurant where they don’t need a lot “When I first came here I didn’t know how to cook are served a traditional Thanksgiving meal, complete of ingredients.” rice,” Haq said. with white tablecloths and cloth napkins. For those 2 Haq moved to Lafayette from Bangladesh to obtain who can’t make it to the restaurant, volunteers bring “You’ve got to have a mechanical engineering degree but he worked his way them their meals. your own passion. through college in a variety of restaurant jobs — experi- This year marks the 25th anniversary of his Thanksgiv- I tell my kids no ence which led him to open Bailey’s fine dining restaurant ing community service. matter what you in 1993. In 1999, he started an offshore catering business For Haq, giving back to the community that welcomed do, if you’re not and later Emaco Food Services. him is vital. When Hurricane Katrina ravished the area, driven, if you don’t That engineering degree? He used it too, many years Haq shipped food and supplies to the Hattiesburg have the passion, you’re not going working at a drilling company by day and the restaurant American, a sister newspaper to Lafayette’s Daily Advertiser. to be successful.” business by night. When he won the Best of Show award, During the disastrous flood of 2016, he donated profits judge Chef Paul Prudhomme asked where he attended to the United Way of Acadiana. 3 culinary school. “The goal is to make a difference, to make it a better “At any time, don’t “I said, ‘Chef Paul, I’m building rigs in Harahan and place,” he explained. “If you want to make a difference, give anyone a meal Belle Chasse,’” Haq said, adding, “I don’t think I took you have to teach your kids, you have to make sacrifices.” you wouldn’t give a day off in three years.” His parents taught him well, Haq said, always helping to your mom. Make Bailey’s and the more casual breakfast and lunch others in his home country of Bangladesh. meals the best you can, like it’s the restaurant Ema’s are landmarks in Lafayette after all “I don’t think we had a meal without sharing,” he last meal you’re these years but Haq is also affectionately known for his recalled. “If I do 20 percent of what my parents did, going to have.” Thanksgiving meals that he serves to the elderly, the I’d be a saint.”

42 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 la fayette Chef Ema Haq

Bailey’s Seafood & Grill and Ema’s Cafe 5520 Johnson St. 337-988-6464 • baileyslafayette.com

acadianaprofile.com | 43 ST . MARTINVILLE Chef Bonnie Breaux

S t. John Restaurant 203 N. New Market St. 337-394-9994 • thestjohnrestaurant.com

44 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 Crackling-crusted black drum with a fennel marmalade nestled on Abita Amber-infused Brabant potatoes and sautéed haricot vert, topped with butter- poached, jumbo-lump, Blue-Point crabmeat

She came in fourth — one point TIPS FROM THE CHEF from third — but was thrilled to have placed so high among the nation’s best chefs. “That was a huge compliment for me,” Breaux said. “They loved my flavor and that was really important to me. The whole experience was amazing.” A t the Breaux fell into the culinary queen's usiness was booming at St. John Restaurant arts after a divorce. Her brother encouraged her to start behest in St. Martinville so Executive Chef Bonnie a catering business and she operated Breaux’s Cajun Breaux didn’t think about applying for the Catering in Covington for five years. She moved back 1 10th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-off. She to her hometown of Broussard to serve as executive chef “My mother’s famous saying was Balso serves as general manager so time is at a premium, at Clementine Dining and Spirits in New Iberia, but a ‘If you over salt a but her bartender encouraged her and early this summer visiting restaurant owner tasted her gumbo and invited stew or a gravy, cut she made the cut. her to become a guest chef at the Louisiana-themed up a russet potato “I was the last chef they called and I was the only Roux in Tampa, Florida. and it will absorb female,” Breaux said of the announcement. “Needless “When I went, my dishes were best-selling so they put the salt.’” to say, I couldn’t believe it.” them on the menu,” Breaux explained. For the June 20 cook-off, Breaux created a crackling- She remained at Roux in Tampa for 14 months, appear- 2 crusted black drum with a fennel marmalade nestled ing on local TV shows, preparing a signature dish at the “A good cook is a on Abita Amber-infused Brabant potatoes and sautéed 2017 College Football Championship and cooking with clean cook. Clean as you go.” haricot vert, topped with butter-poached, jumbo-lump, 26 executive chefs for a James Beard Sunday Supper Blue-Point crabmeat. fundraising benefit. She beat 11 of the state’s best chefs and was crowned In the end however, the lure of home kept whispering 3 “If you cook 2017 Queen of Louisiana Seafood. in her ear. brownies and “The day after I won, the emails, the phone calls, it “I didn’t pursue it,” Breaux explained. “I waited for cookies ahead of was amazing,” she said. “I was numb for three days. I it to come to me.” the holidays, place still pinch myself every day.” And it did. St. John owners Chip and Lucy Durand an apple slice in Breaux represented Louisiana at the 14th annual Great offered Breaux a chance to run their kitchen and she the tin and they will American Seafood Cook-Off held in July in New Orleans. headed home to the perfect job — and a crown to boot. stay fresh.”

acadianaprofile.com | 45 ike many Cajun chefs, Derek Weisz grew Grilled shrimp and up close to family in his hometown of New Tasso pasta with a house-made spicy Iberia. He would often ride his bike to his Alfredo sauce over L grandmother’s house, watching her cook penne pasta. South Louisiana specialties such as pork roast, red beans and rice, pork steak in gravy and a variety of breads stuffed with meat, sausage or cheese. “I grew up down the road from her and I was always at her house,” Weisz explained. “She pretty much cooked everything. I learned a lot from her. That’s where I got into cooking.” After graduating from New Iberia Senior High School Weisz wasn’t sure what the future would bring. But his experience watching his grandmother at the stove and trying his TIPS FROM THE CHEF own hand at cooking made him consider a job in the culinary arts. He perused many culinary schools and chose the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge. “I knew I wanted to go to culinary from the school in Louisiana because I love heart cooking Louisiana food,” Weisz said. “I love anything seafood, Cajun. I love to cook gumbo, jambalaya.” 1 Upon graduation, he returned to “Brown the meat his hometown to work at the New inside the pot. It gives it that fond Iberia branch of Café des Amis. (meat remnants) Later, Mark Alleman, a Louisiana on the bottom Culinary Institute colleague, hired of the pot.” Weisz to helm the kitchen of his new restaurant, Hook & Boil, located 2 in the heart of Broussard. Weisz “Fish don’t take long has been there ever since. to cook, so don’t With a name like Hook & overcook the fish.” Boil, the menu is a given — lots of fresh, regional seafood. Most 3 of the product arrives fresh from “People who want regional sources, such as the oysters to be chefs should follow their heart.” from Houma, but the crawfish hails from the 3,000-acre Alleman Family Farm. The restaurant also serves boudin from Billeaud’s Grocery of Broussard and tasso and sausage from Poché’s Market in Breaux Bridge, plus a number of beers from Acadiana breweries. Some of Weisz’s favorite dishes are the shrimp and tasso pasta, which marries grilled shrimp and tasso with a house-made spicy alfredo sauce over penne pasta, and the boudin-stuffed chicken. The boudin eggrolls, comprised of boudin, pepperjack cheese, cane syrup and a pepper jelly glaze, are a popular appetizer, and the bread pudding at meal’s end is a must. Next year, Hook & Boil will open its second restaurant, in the former Filling Station restaurant site in downtown Lafayette. Weisz will oversee both establishments but mostly work out of the Broussard restaurant.

46 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 BROUSSARD Chef Derek Weisz

Hook & Boil 209 N. Morgan 337-330-8443 • hookandboil.com

acadianaprofile.com | 47 2017Tops ofby will Acadianakalec and fritz esker and select photographs by denny culbert

Coffee

Chicory's & Rêve Coffee Lab We have a tie! It’s hard to imagine a more quaint, cozy gathering space than Chicory’s in Grand Coteau. It’s under the only red light on Martin Luther King Drive in the heart of town and has great sandwiches and smoothies. Chicory’s, 219 East M.L.K. Drive, Grand Coteau, 337-886-5770. At Rêve Coffee Lab (formerly The Lab, until taken over recently by Rêve Golf Course Coffee Roasters), every bean is roasted in the company’s own Wetlands micro roaster. Aside from making Smooth, rolling delicious coffee, the staff makes greens provide a recommendations on how to serene setting for make your own best brew. Rêve golfers of all skill Coffee Lab, 1042 Camellia Blvd., levels. Golf pros No. 6, Lafayette, 337-889-5782, are on-site to help revecoffeeroasters.com. - F.E. you get better at the driving range. Plus, there’s a bar and grill that’s perfect for Person of the Year Chef News Anchor lunch or a drink after 18 holes. - F.E. Nic Hunter Troy Bijeaux of Joe Sam The night before Nic Hunter was Cafe Josephine The guy might have two first 2129 North University Ave. sworn in as Lake Charles’ first new names, but when it comes to Lafayette How dedicated was chef Troy wetlandsgc.org mayor in 17 years, he and his wife Bijeaux to turning Café Josephine news in Acadiana, Joe Sam is stayed in and play board games. into a Cajun culinary destination? the last word. Wait, scratch that. Monopoly and Scattergories, Well, he didn’t lease the building. He’s actually the first word, specifically. Nic got crushed in both. He bought the building. Ever considering he anchors KLAF’s Never fear, though, fine citizens since, he’s been creating some morning show. The point is, Joe of Lake Charles; your new mayor of the best traditional Cajun Sam and news are synonymous. has done plenty of winning in life food anywhere in Acadiana. He also has a ridiculously and plans to take his experience That success has made Chef impressive wardrobe, evidenced as a successful small-business Troy a bit of a local celeb, as he by his bright ensembles that owner and apply it to this civic frequently partakes in the Eat dwarf the shine of the morning office. Given Hunter’s track record, Lafayette campaign and often sun. Don’t believe us? Tune in the western jewel of Acadiana gives cooking demonstrations for and see for yourself.- W.K. should “pass go” for years to morning TV segments. - W.K. come. nicformayor.com - W.K. tops49 of acadiana

Steakhouse Café Josephine This culinary jewel in Sunset is where cow meets Cajun, which makes sense considering the place was a meat market before a restaurant. Known for serving “Food With An Attitude,” Café Josephine’s menu is pleasantly surprising and unexpected. With that said, the place is known for their steaks, especially when patrons order them with lump crabmeat, lobster butter and claws, or even crawfish etouffee on top. - W.K.

818 Napoleon Ave. Sunset 337-662-0008 cafejosephinesunset.com

acadianaprofile.com | 49 tops50 of acadiana Favorite Bank: Capital One

Seafood

Landry’s (New Iberia) Some days, you’re in the mood for Cajun food; on other days you might want a steak or seafood. Acadiana Profile readers want both in one place and picked Landry’s, with renowned chef Alex Patout. Friday and Saturday nights feature Landry’s Grand Buffet with live Cajun music. landryscajunrestaurant.com - F.E.

B&B

Old Castillo This beauty of a B&B, built in Jewelry 1827 along Bayou Teche under the “Evangeline Oak,” is on the Dianna Rae National Register of Historic Jewelry Homes. All seven rooms feature When you’re period antiques and balconies. looking for The breakfast includes beignets, that perfect bacon and homemade cafe engagement or au lait. 20 Evangeline Blvd., St wedding ring for Martinville, oldcastillo.com - F.E. the love of your life, you want Casino Best Band Place to Hear Live Music it to be special. At Dianna Rae, Golden Chubby Carrier Rhythms on customers can N ews Station design their own Nugget Lake Did you know Chubby Carrier the River rings to give them Charles is a published author? It’s Music is good true and his book is entitled, KATC a personal flavor. If you want Vegas- for the soul, and - F.E. “Who Stole the Hot Sauce?” free music is No other news station in style gaming that’s Heck if we know Chubby, a short drive away, even better. Every southwest Louisiana features 500 Settlers Trace Blvd. but while we figure out spring and fall, an on-air crew as trusted and No. 1 check out the this condiment caper, we’ll Acadiana dances talented as the crew at KATC. At Lafayette Golden Nugget take a break and shake our diannaraejewelry.com Lake Charles. Over to the beat of this 5, 6 and 10 p.m., Jim Hummel moneymakers to your wicked, six-week concert and Marcelle Fontenot (a former 1,600 slots, 79 table self-proclaimed “swamp games, and six series, which has Tops of Acadiana winner) anchor funky zydeco” Grammy- featured Chee- the broadcasts. Rob Perillo live-action poker Award winning sound. tables are there for Weez and Louisiana heads Storm Team 3, along with Though he’s been touring for Red. Food, drinks, colleagues Daniel Phillips and you to try your luck. more than 25 years, Chubby 550 Golden Nugget music, and fun. Eric Zernich. When you wake up, shows no signs of slowing 1100 Camellia Tracy Wirtz (another former Tops Blvd., Lake Charles, down, as his performance goldennugget.com/ Blvd., Lafayette, winner) Dave Baker and Scott calendar is booked from Brazda open our eyes during lake-charles - F.E. facebook.com/ now until the end of the year rhythmsontheriver “Good Morning Acadiana.” - W.K. with local and national gigs. - F.E. chubbycarrier.com - W.K. tops51 of acadiana

Boudin Nunu’s in Maurice This year, the most spirited (and spicy) Tops category goes to a link that UL professor and boudin expert Robert Carriker called “decidedly rich in flavor, reminiscent of the way locals have been eating boudin for generations.” Nunu’s boudin has a unique texture – one bite might be meat and rice, another might be “fat and a bit of liver.” As Carriker says, “If that scares you then you shouldn’t be eating boudin in the first place.” Amen. - W.K.

309 East Lafayette St. Maurice 337-898-3355 nunus.com tops52 of acadiana favorite Medical Professional: Kevin Duplechain MD

Meteorologist

Rob Perillo Blame it on the rain…but don’t say Rob Perillo didn’t warn you. Frankly, Perillo’s dominance in this TOPS category is causing us to dig deep into our musical vault of songs that contain weather references. Last year, the musical “Annie.” This year, Milli Vanilli. Next year? Who knows? That’s our problem though, Rob. You just go on and keep doing your thing — which is informing us of whether we’ll need a jacket this weekend, or sticking with us for hours and hours during storm coverage. - W.K.

Spa Spa Mizan When you need some pampering, Spa Mizan offers Acadiana residents a variety of indulgent spa services,

including Museum Food Truck Boutique aromatherapy, massages, shampoo and Hilliard Taco Sisters Ricki’s styling, manis University The brainchild of siblings Boutique and pedis and Molly and Katy Richard, Ricki O’Brien has day packages. Art Museum the Taco Sisters have been dressing her There’s even a Located at the taken their Johnston customers for over “create your own University of Street show on the road 20 years. She started Pet Service spa package” to Louisiana at with Acadiana’s can’t- at Abdalla’s and customize your Lafayette, this miss food truck. Usually then opened her experience. museum connects parked in front of energy All Creatures art and education. own place, Ricki’s - F.E. companies or large Your furry friends are family, and Students sketch Boutique in New medical facilities, the they deserve the best. You voted 2319 Kaliste Saloom Road on-site and artists Iberia, which has Taco Sisters food truck for them to get it at All Creatures Lafayette talk to visitors been going strong spamizan.com features the same staples Veterinary Hospital in New about their work. for the last 19 years. as its popular brick and Iberia, where the caring staff The permanent Aside from personal mortar, like their famous provides surgical, dental, and collection has service, you’ll find fish tacos and the smoked preventive medical treatments 18th- through 21st- Vera Bradley shoes and smothered brisket for dogs, cats, horses, and exotic century European, and fashions from burritos. Wondering animals. They also have care Asian, and American Karen Kane, Ruby where this freshness on guides to educate owners. 220 works of art. 710 Yaya and Johnny four wheels is rolling North Lewis St., New Iberia, East St. Mary Was. 1000 Parkview today? Check the truck’s AllCreatures.VetStreet.com Blvd., Lafayette, Drive, New Iberia, - F.E. page at facebook.com/ 337-367-5040 - F.E. hilliardmuseum.org tacosistersmobileairstream - F.E. - W.K. tops53 of acadiana

Sandwich Shop Great Harvest No doubt, the folks at Great Harvest got their bread up. No, not because money is on their mind. Meals are on their mind! Sporting a menu packed with a bevy of sandwiches, patrons at Great Harvest have a deliciously difficult decision when it comes to picking which two slices of bread to slap meat and veggies between. On Mondays alone, Great Harvest freshly bakes nine different kinds of bread, including Cinnamon Burst Extreme and Cracked Pepper Parmesan. - W.K.

854 Kaliste Saloom Road Lafayette 337-236-8966 greatharvestofacadiana.com

acadianaprofile.com | 53 tops54 of acadiana Charitable Event: Miles Perret Cancer Center Games of Acadiana

Italian Restaurant

iMonelli Dinner at iMonelli is a memory as much as it is a meal. A complete contrast to the rise of menu service apps and eating on the go, iMonelli remains an old-school Italian restaurant, the perfect place to take a date, order a few bottles of wine, and actually strike up a deep conversation. The dining area is lit to spark romance and the menu options range from classic to creative. 4017 Johnston St. Lafayette, 337-989-9291- W.K.

Sports Reporter

Jay Walker Since 1991, this New-Englander- by-birth, Cajun-by-choice has Spirits Company been the familiar radio voice of UL Athletics, broadcasting Marcello’s football, men’s basketball Wine and baseball in addition to Market his Monday through Friday sports talk show on KPEL A wide selection 1420 AM. From football bowl of wines for games, NCAA Tournament people of berths in basketball, to trips different tastes to the College World Series; and budgets Jay Walker has seen it all…and compelled tells everyone about it. - W.K. readers to Bar Local Brew Special Events Space cast votes for Marcello’s. If you want to be Artmosphere Bayou Teche City Club at a little more Artmosphere is Brewing River Ranch adventurous and a watering hole, Beer’s a family affair at If you want to Radio Personality make your own grill, art gallery, drinks, Marcello’s Bayou Teche Brewing. make a birthday, and music venue The Knott brothers anniversary, wedding also sells home all rolled into one. DJ Digital at Hot 107 brewing and wine- dreamed of making or family reunion There’s live music Don’t let the name fool you. making supplies. beers that would pair more special, there’s every night and DJ Digital is flesh and blood. - F.E. well with Cajun cuisine. no better place than if you want to Now they make those City Club. Whether How can be so sure? Well, 340 Kaliste Saloom wow your friends beers with family at the you need a large he professes to loving music, Suite C with your singing, family property — which room for 400 guests vinyl records, shoes and Lafayette Tuesday’s karaoke bacon. There’s your proof! marcelloswine.com includes covered and open or smaller rooms night! The food outdoor seating, a stage for more intimate Computers and robots don’t includes ingredients for live music and an event gatherings, City have feet and they damn sure from Artmosphere’s space — on the banks of Club has it. 1100 don’t eat hot, sizzling, crispy own garden. the brewery’s namesake Camellia Blvd., pork. Speaking of heat, that’s 902 Johnston waterway. Ragin’ Cajun #202, Lafayette, what DJ Digital brings to the St., Lafayette, Ale is the favorite among cityclubatriverranch. airwaves in buckets from 6 artmosphere. readers. 1106 Bushville com - F.E. a.m. to 10 a.m. every weekday, vpweb.com - F.E. Hwy, Arnaudville, mixing edgy banter with fresh bayoutechebrewing.com hip-hop and R&B. - W.K. - F.E. tops55 of acadiana

Pizza Pizza Village It takes a village… wait, no it doesn’t. It just takes one hungry, ambitious and determined eater to polish off a pie from either Pizza Village’s Moss Street or Kaliste Saloom locations. Not surprisingly, all the standards appear on the menu. There’s a meat- eater’s pizza, a veggie pizza and a “works” pizza with everything. But if you’re looking for a recommendation, order a Landry Special – that’s pepperoni, ground beef, shrimp, onion and jalapeno – and thank us later. - W.K.

1935 Moss St. Lafayette 337-232-1418

2340 Kaliste Saloom Road Lafayette 337-706-8644

pizza-village.com Cavan dine, dine, For a For a Maypop won’t won’t Seaworthy Lula Distillery Distillery Lula cotton candy. cotton in the Central in the Central menu item — menu item Meril - Famed Meril - Famed these new these new nighttime nighttime fun addition to to fun addition Compere Lapin Compere Tip: For dessert, dessert, For Tip: Central City BBQ Central Lagasse brings a Lagasse Business District. District. Business local Chef Emeril the brunch scene the brunch scene restaurants restaurants disappoint... ask for the unlisted the unlisted ask for a a guide to things up a bit and incorporate a few of the new New Orleans joints? We’ve of a few We’ve the new New Orleans joints? things up a bit and incorporate When the desire to laissez les bon temps rouler comes calling, why not shake shake why not calling, comes rouler les bon temps laissez to When the desire taken to the streets to find a few of the latest hotspots, concepts and activities and concepts few of hotspots, find a to the latest the streets to taken Scenario: one of your impulse-driven friends suggests a long weekend in New a long weekend friends suggests impulse-driven one ofScenario: your Orleans. The group texts begin, suggestions start to flow, plans emerge. Then a plans emerge. flow, start to suggestions begin, texts The group Orleans. that you and your krewe will want on your radar. And your social media feed.... And your radar. on your will want krewe and your that you feeling of déjà vu hits. Isn’t this the exact cocktail-fueled itinerary of our list trip? list of our itinerary cocktail-fueled Isn’t this the exact offeeling déjà vu hits.

56 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 Cavan dine, dine, For a For a Maypop won’t won’t Seaworthy Lula Distillery Distillery Lula cotton candy. cotton in the Central in the Central menu item — menu item Meril - Famed Meril - Famed these new these new nighttime nighttime fun addition to to fun addition Compere Lapin Compere Tip: For dessert, dessert, For Tip: Central City BBQ Central Lagasse brings a Lagasse Business District. District. Business local Chef Emeril the brunch scene the brunch scene restaurants restaurants disappoint... ask for the unlisted the unlisted ask for riel b a G my my A By By New NEW Orleans

acadianaprofile.com | 57 ty ar P er b lum S elements like an in-house elements like hotel experience, still with still experience, hotel new-wave hostels like The like hostels new-wave minimalist chic rooms and a chic rooms minimalist house and eclectic shopping all on one block. If charming all on one block. cloth robes in the city. Not to to Not in the city. robes cloth comfort and clean elements. and clean elements. comfort the softest bedding and terry bedding and terry the softest trends toward toward trends The Ace Hotel comfort, look no further than look no further comfort, offer offer and The Quisby Drifter the hip set, thanks to cool kid cool to thanks the hip set, an abundance of personality, ofan abundance personality, and supremely easy access to to easy access and supremely The Central Business District is District Business The Central skyscraper views and some of views skyscraper a rooftop pool with sweeping pool with sweeping a rooftop as fireplace decor and custom and custom decor as fireplace from restaurant Public Service. Service. Public restaurant from courtyards made of pink brick, of made pink brick, courtyards the Garden District gem Henry District the Garden is calling Hotel the Catahoula music venue in the lobby with in the lobby music venue mention 24-hour room service room mention 24-hour lively bar are on your checklist, checklist, on your are bar lively an alternative to the traditional the traditional to an alternative your name. For classic Southern classic For name. your elements like brass instruments instruments brass elements like On the flipside, recently opened recently On the flipside, , which touts which touts the NOPSI , home to antique furnishings and finishes. antique furnishings and finishes. neighboring restaurants, a coffee a coffee neighboring restaurants, entertainment nearly every night entertainment every nearly Howard Hotel and get giddy over giddy over and get Hotel Howard

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58 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 uide G Restaurant Lula pirit’s S

a buzz with a buzz. a buzz with buzz. A champagne? Step into into Step champagne? will light up your night. night. will light up your at French Quarter locale Quarter at French and classic cocktails that cocktails and classic ...had a drink that was lit a drink that was ...had happen - tours available. available. happen - tours drink where the booze is the booze drink where Swing by the picturesque the picturesque Swing by Freret Beer Beer one at Freret a cold the sleek new bubbly bar bar the sleek new bubbly ...had a vodka, gin or rum gin or a vodka, ...had on fire? The Holy Water at Water The Holy on fire? will give you you will give Saint Cecilia ...had caviar and with your and with your caviar ...had to see the magic to Distillery are synonymous to the city synonymous to are the desire to tip back a few a few tip back to the desire rolling. The mix of bars dive rolling. make for a fabulous flow of flow a fabulous for make from the rotating list. the rotating from Room ...seen a champagne saber? ...seen a champagne options. But have you ever… you But have options. ...needed an afternoon jolt? ...needed an afternoon The geaux cup culture in the The geaux cup culture made? Visit Visit made? when the clock strikes 5 p.m. 5 p.m. when the clock strikes sophisticated establishments establishments sophisticated Hotel Ace Seaworthy at the to give it a try. give to Effervescence every every at Brennan’s courtyard filled to the brim with refined to the brim with filled The Cold Brew Old Fashioned Old Fashioned Brew The Cold ...seen 16 beers on draft? Grab Grab ...seen 16 beers on draft? Crescent City will often inspire inspire City will often Crescent libations to keep the good times keep to libations overflowing with personality and overflowing Friday to catch the fabulous saber saber the fabulous catch to Friday

ild W Festival Festival one Experience Beignet Fest Fest Beignet Literary Feast Feast Literary G Mirliton Festival Mirliton Voodoo Music + Art Music + Voodoo Fall Festivals Festivals Fall Hell Yes Fest Comedy Comedy Fest Yes Hell Treme Creole Gumbo Creole Treme CAC’s Art for Arts’ Sake Arts’ Art for CAC’s KREWE of Boo! Parade Celebration in the Oaks Celebration Words & Music Festival: A A & Music Festival: Words Ponderosa Stomp Festival Stomp Ponderosa Oak Street Po-Boy Festival Po-Boy Oak Street New Orleans Film Festival Louisiana Seafood Festival Seafood Louisiana New Orleans Book Festival New Orleans Book Festival New Orleans Fringe Festival New Orleans Fringe Crescent City Blues and BBQ Crescent food hall, houses several houses several hall, food and beverage in-house food can disperse so you vendors Food Kenton’s and gather. & Bourbon has introduced on a twist an interesting brunch side dish - every with coffee comes entree and a drink of tea your or Bloody Mary, Chipotle choice: Trace Buffalo 2 oz or Mimosa, morning your Prefer Bourbon. meal with a side of jazz live balcony Quarter and a French spot. Sbisa is a hot view? Cafe many restaurants And since up and catch play close to the from a breather take themed the coastal weekend, will have on Oak Street DTB Friday to thanks covered you brunch service. - Monday

acadianaprofile.com | 59 int M

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60 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 w... o ave ave T H ou Audubon the Audubon in Y to sample. to

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Rainbow” “Rusty right up to the Imperial right up to plenty of family friendly plenty of friendly family picture books and offers and offers books picture New Orleans is certainly New Orleans is certainly grown-ups, but there are are but there grown-ups, them for the wildest bite bite the wildest them for Appetit Girl Fick avvy avvy KREWE S ouvenir ouvenir Dirty Coast S Beauty Salon from Bonfolk from A pair of NOLA- pair A nail colors from from nail colors favorite things… favorite sunglasses from from sunglasses from Sazeracs to to Sazeracs from Snippets ofSnippets New bag from Magda from bag Streetcar bow tie bow Streetcar Praline Company Praline visit. A few of our of few our A visit. Instead, pick up a Instead, Coffee table book Coffee New Orleans map glasses and coffee and coffee glasses Orleans from artist Orleans from mugs are so passe. so passe. mugs are from NOLA Couture NOLA from modern and locally modern and locally No trip is complete No trip is complete two…or six. 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A rt egacy egacy L M useum A rts Center the shop houses commemorative the shop houses commemorative ood and Beverage M useum ood and Beverage Culture Fix Culture New Orleans is often all about living in the but the city moment, glance to also loves in its roots. revel to back a glimpse ofGet the and legends traditions the city sing that make with pride… N ew O rleans M useum of tip: V isitor she Cultural A she Cultural Jazz M useum at the O ld U N ew O rleans N ational WW II Southern F John’s M adame rleans Collection N ew O rleans Collection The H istoric tricentennial souvenirs to celebrate the celebrate to souvenirs tricentennial of 300th birthday upcoming N ew O rleans in 2018.

acadianaprofile.com | 61 Get Started Acadiana-born companies thrive and grow in business- friendly, low-cost, nurturing environment

few years ago, when the post-beer Raconteur Games, the brainchild of Louisiana munchies struck in Lafayette or Lake native Nicholas Laborde, is one of the businesses A Charles and you wanted snacks without that has worked with OM to help secure funding driving, a slim selection of Chinese and make business connections for their line food or franchise pizza joints were your only food of indie video games. Their most recent game, delivery options. Acadiana native Chris Meaux Evangeline (currently on the PC platform but saw an opportunity. expanding to Xbox in Meaux and his team built Waitr, a delivery system by Megan Romer early 2018), takes its that brought restaurants together with a team of name from the storied delivery drivers and an easy app that let hungry heroine of Longfellow’s locals order from dozens of restaurants. It turns Cajun epic, and allows players to explore the ques- out, Lafayette and Lake Charles weren’t the only tion of what you would do if you could make one cities where comprehensive food delivery simply last phone call to your loved ones. wasn’t a common thing, and Waitr quickly spread Laborde moved to Lafayette for college and finds to cover 25 markets and 110 cities. personal and professional inspiration from the Acadiana has a historical tradition of nurturing vibrant cultural scene in the region. small businesses, but in recent years, pushes for “People here are not like people anywhere else entrepreneurship have come back to the forefront on earth,” he says. as the region tries to diversify its industry. Local His reasons for starting his business here, though, chambers of commerce and economic development It’s much less are not purely personal. He explains that a Louisiana organizations have developed initiatives such as expensive to live state tax credit offers serious incentive for people Lafayette’s Opportunity Machine, an entrepreneur here than it is to starting creative technology businesses to build training center offering coaching, technology live in California or, and stay in Louisiana. say, Seattle, and that resources, networking opportunities and even translates into lower CollegeAD is another OM member. This website shared office space for start-ups in need of a home costs all through and media company, founded and managed by a base. The goal of OM and similar programs across the business. trio of UL Lafayette grads, offers comprehensive the region is to create the next wave of regional- news and updates about the industry of college Tim Handley gone-national businesses that provide jobs and sports. Though based here, the site content is opportunity here at home. written by a network of writers around the country

62 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 The Senior Class

Innovation has been a mainstay of Stuller Tony Chachere’s Metal Shark Boats South Louisiana culture since before Lafayette-born Matt Stuller Creole Foods Coastal Louisiana has a storied recorded history, as locals have built his jewelry manufacturing It’s rare to find a household in history of boat-building, from always had to find clever ways to company from scratch in 1970, South Louisiana that doesn’t keep carved wooden canoes of the deal with and benefit from the trials and it is now one of the largest a shaker of Tony’s in the cupboard Attakapas to the famous Higgins and tribulations of life in swamp jewelry companies in the United (or right out on the table). boats of New Orleans, and country. That spirit of ingenuity has States. Over 1,500 employees This family-owned company, Metal Shark, founded in 1983 in passed through every culture that’s handle the design and fabrication best-known for its eponymous Jeanerette by boatbuilder Jimmy taken up residence in Acadiana of thousands of pieces of fine spice blend, was founded in 1970 Gravois, carries that tradition into and continues into the modern jewelry daily, supplying hundreds in Opelousas by Tony himself, a the modern era. Two hundred era. These established companies of independent jewelry stores retired Cajun chef. Seventy five and fifty employees now build continue to innovate and stay throughout the U.S. employees ship the famous green everything from fishing boats to relevant, providing inspiration for can and other delicacies to spicy police and military vehicles near aspiring entrepreneurs throughout food-lovers around the world. New Iberia. the region.

who keep their fingers on the pulse of athletic Handley has built successful businesses from departments of American colleges and drive traffic scratch before, and started his drone service via a massive Twitter feed and email list. A June People here company, which offers photographic and data 2017 presenting partnership with Adidas indicates are not collection capabilities to everyone from golf that CollegeAD has made the transition to a full-on like people courses to real estate developers to the entertain- anywhere ment industry, with the goal of making it a turnkey player in the sports media scene. else on earth More than just tech, Opportunity Machine also franchise for business-minded drone enthusiasts works with inventors and “stuff”-based entrepre- Nicholas Laborde throughout the country. Thus far, there are offices neurs, such as Wayne Nix’s RNvention company, in three cities and Handley expects business to makers of a soon-to-be-released multi-purpose double annually over the next few years. nursing tool called the MultiNix. Youngsville-based Tech and industry are not the only arenas in Nix, who is a registered nurse and a registered which entrepreneurship is burgeoning in the respiratory therapist and who also holds an MBA, region. South Louisiana, with our great tradi- sees tremendous opportunity for medical equipment tion of food and drink, is home to a number of entrepreneurship in the region. growing breweries, distilleries and artisanal food “We have all of these medical people, and all of producers. these research scientists at the universities, and One of the fastest-growing is Louisiana Spirits all of this biomedical research happening, [but we and Bayou Rum, which opened its Lacassine also] have all of these engineers” says Nix. “It’s distillery in 2011 and released its first spirits amazing to me that we haven’t built up a medical two years later. equipment manufacturing industry.” “The inception of Bayou Rum stemmed from a Some of the hurdles are regulatory, Nix feels, conversation among co-founders that took place but he’s ready to jump those hurdles and go big. during a popular Southern pastime — duck-hunt- Not all local entrepreneurs came to Acadiana ing: ‘If Louisiana is the birthplace of sugarcane, for business reasons. Tim Handley, owner of Fly why is no one making a high-quality rum in the Guys Drone Services LLC, moved to Lafayette state?’” says media relations specialist Jess Civello. from California with his wife (who is from the The company has grown to 22 employees, and area) when their daughter decided to attend LSU. 2017 marks their first year of full national distribu- “You know how people from here are,” he says. tion through a partnership with the Stoli company, “They can never stay away long.” with international distribution on the imminent Still, he sees major benefits to starting his horizon. business here. What’s next for Louisiana start-ups? Time will “It’s much less expensive to live here than it is to tell, but given the current crop of fast-spreading live in California or, say, Seattle, and that translates businesses and increased investment, the future into lower costs all through the business.” certainly looks bright.

acadianaprofile.com | 63

special promotional section

Acadiana Profile magazine’s Kingfish section ackowledges accomplished businessmen of Acadiana. Generous, durable and unflinching in character, these Kingfish give more to others than to themselves, and for this they are recognized in this issue of Acadiana Profile magazine.

Clothing and styling provided by Mr. Frank Camalo with F. Camalo’s. We would like to congratulate F. Camalo’s on celebrating 40 years in business.

R iverOaks catering and event center

68 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 SpECIAL pROMOTIOnAL SECTIOn SpECIAL pROMOTIOnAL SECTIOn

RIGHT TO LEFT: Don Hargroder, Bryan McLain, Andrew Ahrens, Dr. Chris Fontenot, MD, FACS and Larry Curtis

66 | acadiana profile october/november 2017

9. GateFold.indd 992-993 9/18/17 2:57 PM SpECIAL pROMOTIOnAL SECTIOn SpECIAL pROMOTIOnAL SECTIOn

RIGHT TO LEFT: Don Hargroder, Bryan McLain, Andrew Ahrens, Dr. Chris Fontenot, MD, FACS and Larry Curtis

acadianaprofile.com | 67

9. GateFold.indd 992-993 9/18/17 2:57 PM special promotional section

Andrew Ahrens

Founder and Chief Investment Manager of Ahrens Investment Partners

Andrew is founder and Chief Investment Manager of Ahrens Investment Partners, a local investment advisory firm that manages more than a half billion dollars in assets for its clients. Andrew, a native of Louisiana, began his career in 1989 after graduating from LSU. During his 27 years in the industry he has been selected by Barron’s magazine and the Financial Times as one of the top financial advisors in the country. He has also provided guest commentary on CNBC and Fox Business channels as well as being quoted in popular financial publications.

The firm’s mission is to provide unbiased investment advice for their clients to help them reach their unique financial goals. In addition to serving his clients, Andrew is active in raising money for various charities. An active investor in startup companies, Andrew enjoys helping local entrepreneurs grow their companies, providing jobs, and opportunities in the Acadiana area. Andrew is married and is the proud father of three daughters.

“This is such a rewarding profession, being able to work with so many wonderful people and help them to achieve their financial goals.”

Clothing provided by F. Camalo

acadianaprofile.com | 69 special promotional section

Don Hargroder

Automotive Dealer

What began as a small Chrysler dealership is now twelve fran- chises with over ten locations that include GMC, Buick, Chrys- ler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Toyota. “I am humbled by the success of Courtesy Automotive Group,” says Don Hargroder. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the great people in the organization and of course my family’s support.” This year, Courtesy Automotive Group finished in the Top Four Compa- nies of Acadiana’s Top 50 Pri- vate Companies. Their success extends from Don’s philosophy and the company’s namesake: courtesy to each other, courtesy to customers, and courtesy to the community.

Clothing provided by F. Camalo

acadianaprofile.com | 65 special promotional section

Larry Curtis

Attorney

S omehow Larry Curtis manages to find the right balance between a demanding professional career, commitment to community and family. Entering his fourth decade in the legal profession, Larry is recognized as one of Louisiana’ s best personal injury attorneys. Twice in the last three years, he was selected by Best Lawyers® as Lafayette’s “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Larry’s focus on community involvement finds its foundation in the Catholic Church’s Social Justice movement, his membership in Knight’s of Columbus, Council 7275, and through annual charitable giving to local schools and organizations.

Clothing provided by F. Camalo

66 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 special promotional section

Bryan McLain

Founder/CEO

Bryan McLain’s enthusiasm for building has led to nearly 1,000 Acadiana home sites, hundreds of custom homes, and an expanding, cutting- edge Cottage Home Rental concept.

“Sylvia and I have developed exceptional land for our Boutique-style neighborhoods, built homes for great people, and have proudly created new, unique living environments. It’s a dream career.”

McLain Companies is a family business, employing three the couple’s blended family of six. An important part of their identity, their dedication to the St. Jude Dream Home project has manifested in eight donated lots and over $10M for St. Jude over the past eight years.

Clothing provided by F. Camalo

acadianaprofile.com | 67 special promotional section

Dr. Chris Fontenot, MD, FACS

Urologist Southern Urology Group

With 18 years of urological experience, Chris has had the honor and privilege of treating patients with bladder, kidney, and infertility problems. He specializes in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and provides Mona Lisa Touch® therapy for women. Diverse in his scope, he also treats children with complications from Spina Bifida, and men with fertility problems through procedures such as microsurgical vasectomy reversal. Louisiana Life has repeatedly named him one of Louisiana’s Best Doctors. He will be president of the Louisiana State Urological Society in 2019. Chris is a proud family man and LSU football fan.

Clothing provided by F. Camalo

68 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 69 70 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 71 72 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 73 74 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 culture Joie de vivre

les artistes the house that cajun homes built

Ted Bertrand’s downtown Sunset gallery makes space for his paintings and the work of other local artists

By William Kalec Portrait by romero & Romero

F or Ted Bertrand the preservation project starts (and ends) with a paint job. He is an unapologetic and non-traditional documentar- ian of a culture he hustles to capture before the creeping shadow of homogenization covers everything. On the busiest street in this never-busy town, across from the church and without a stoplight in sight, sits a century-old bank turned art gallery — a long- awaited “place of my own” for an artist whose clout was strengthened by artistically reproducing the places of others. Inside, Bertrand is putting the finishing touches on a commissioned piece, a colorful and even whimsical culture les artistes

painting of an old Cajun-style home with a dominant front porch located along Highway 31 near Robin Bridge. Two stately oaks frame the dwelling, giving the structure a prominence impossible to ignore. Such subjects — unmistakably Acadiana places and people — are Bertrand’s bread and butter. “My goal with each painting is to bring out what’s already there,” Bertrand says. “To illustrate the beauty that comes with age.” That same attitude is exhibited in Bertrand’s new gallery. In May 2017, Bertrand transformed The Bank of Sunset Building on Napoleon Avenue (which was also the Town Hall for many years) into the ARTworks by Ted Bertrand Gallery & Studio. Bertrand breathed life into the dated structure, creating a platform to display not only his works, but the paintings of others. For instance, in August, Bertrand’s Gallery also housed the works of long-time Sunset artist Bea Sibille. Since its opening, paintings by Anne Matt – the Gallery’s artist in residence, if you will – have hung right beside Bertrand’s pieces. Open houses are a regular thing, and not only attract visual artists, but also local musicians and writers, too. And of course, Bertrand gladly welcomes consumer foot traffic, even when he’s in studio painting. “I’m not sure that the intention was ever to have a quiet place where I could work uninterrupted. If it was, then this wasn’t the place for that, because we always have people coming in – which is the point of having this gallery,” Bertrand says with a bit of a chuckle. “My flow or rhythm, my concentration, I guess, isn’t easy to keep, because we always have visitors. So I don’t know if I’m getting more done here, but I like having the space. “I like having it to display not only my work, but others’, as well.” The route Bertrand traversed to get to this place — 855 Napoleon Avenue in Sunset, to be specific, if you wanna pop on in — is a bit unorthodox compared to his Cajun painting contemporaries, but does explain why his subject matter hasn’t altered over the years. Growing up, Bertrand didn’t receive formal art training. Instead, he spent his

76 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 77 childhood on his family farm in central St. Landry Parish. The setting was quintes- sentially Cajun. Looking back, it’d be perfect for a Bertrand painting — they grew cotton and soy, raised animals in a sparsely populated area that somehow maintained a strong sense of community. Those images Bertrand witnessed all around him as a youngster are now the inspiration for all of his pieces. Swamp landscapes painted upon horizontal wooden slabs. Cajun cottages, wooden docks, cotton gins, grain bins and any other dated or decaying structure that exudes authenticity captured on canvas. Bertrand refers to his paintings as “somewhat expressionistic” in that the colors used gleefully distort any semblance of reality, while the size and scope of the subject itself still rings true. A Cajun house still looks like a Cajun house in a Bertrand piece…just with bright shades that bring a sense of life and movement to the inanimate focal point. Over the years, Bertrand’s work has appeared at The Frame House Gallery in Lake Charles, The Historic Washington Art Gallery in Washington, and dining establishments like NuNu’s in Arnaudville and the Grand Coteau Bistro. He’s also a regular at art shows like The Big Easel in Lafayette. Ted’s wife, Ava, played a large role in the formation of the Sunset Gallery and still has a hand in its day-to-day operation. She’s also a frequent rider through the backroads of South Louisiana with her husband – short day trips without a written-in-ink plan or destination. Together they search for what’s left (structurally, anywhere) of a unique slice of Americana indigenous only to this part of the country. “As an artist, this area just gives you so much to work with,” Bertrand says. “I’ve found inspiration — places and people to paint — for years and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to paint everything, because there’s that much out there. There is a historical element to it, a preservation or a time capsule element. “But, yes, it does require a little more effort to find interesting houses or buildings or even landscapes to paint. You have to drive a little further, or look a little harder. But it’s still there if you’re willing to find it.” “I think a lot of people notice the colors I use,” Bertrand says. “They grab your attention, and I think they make you want to take a longer look or a closer look at the painting.”

78 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 79 culture la musique

happy go lucky

D.L. Menard, the ‘Cajun Hank Williams,’ lives on through his music

By Michael Patrick Welch | Photo by david simpson

T he famous Cajun country and western — crafted to last forever. You can think of “Later on in his life he had a running singer D.L. Menard left instructions for his crazy personalities and party animals but joke that he was very arrogant and July funeral, which was live-streamed all those guys were precise and exacting … conceited, though everyone knew it was over the world. He wanted the services held They would make it look easy and careless a joke,” says Greely. “I remember he was at Family Life Church in Lafayette, where but it was not.” playing at this birthday party one time at a Menard’s son Todd serves as pastor. He, of The story goes that Menard quit his camp, and up above him in the cypress trees course, also wanted live music at his coming service station job in the ‘50s to become an was a big bald eagle nest, and at one point home celebration—with the stipulation independent chair maker, giving him more as he was playing he shouted into the mic, that no one would play his biggest hit, the free time to play music. In 1962, Menard’s ‘Even the eagles love me!’” French two-step, “La Porte en Arrière (The Louisiana Aces band had their back door Back Door).” “If I am going to heaven I don’t want to be sneaking in the back door,” Todd Menard quoted his father’s wishes to the many gathered at the funeral. “I want to go right straight through the pearly gates!” The 85-year-old man known as “the Cajun Hank Williams” reportedly did not hear Cajun music until he was a teen already obsessed with mastering American country and western music on his guitar. Not until the 1950s, when Cajun music was revived as Louisiana’s most popular dance music, did Menard begin singing his songs in French. With all of Louisiana’s various styles of music eventually added subtly to his palette, Menard went on to write what many consider to be perfect waltzes and two-steps, combining Cajun and country music in a way no one else has, or likely will. “That booming voice and those beautiful turns of phrase in his songs,” says fiddle player Dave Greely of Mamou Playboys hit, and then disbanded in 1967. A frequent who, having always admired Menard’s performer at the New Orleans Jazz and influence, collaborated with the man both Heritage Festival, Menard was inducted at live shows and on Menard’s Grammy- into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in nominated 2010 album, “Happy Go 2009, and in 2010 “Happy Go Lucky” was Lucky.” “His songs are so carefully crafted. nominated for a Grammy. He gave his last He would give the impression that he was public performance in July at an event in a loose cannon, but his musical work is so Erath celebrating the 55th anniversary of precise. I’m thinking of the way he played “The Back Door.” guitar on that trio album he did with Marc Anyone who talks about Menard cannot Savoy and Dewey Balfa. Those bass notes help mentioning the outsized personality, perfectly paced and placed. Built like a and peculiar sense of humor that made his fine piece of furniture he might have made live shows even that much better. Ph otographs courtesy The Acadiana Advocate

acadianaprofile.com | 81 la musique

“Kingdom of Zydeco” author and music journalist Michael Tisserand felt lucky to share a friendship with Menard, whom he interviewed several times. “His one-liners were especially great,” says Tisserand. “When I interviewed him in front of a crowd at this year’s [New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival], he played me like a fish on a line. Just messed with me the BRIDAL SHOW whole time. It was great. I felt so lucky to be there.” Greely says Menard’s ribbing was never mean spirited and always served their friendship. “He would give you a sincere compliment, after all the joshing and jokes and the shouting he’d tell you something that really meant a lot in encouraging terms,” says Greely. “One time I sang a song, one of his waltzes, and he later told me I was the first person who ever got all his words right … Then after the Grammys he gave me a poster from the event and wrote on there that I couldn’t have done better.” That was the last time Greely would see Menard face to face. Despite his looming presence in Cajun music, Menard’s influence is hard to pin down. His guitar playing style — which incorporated strong upstrokes beside the traditional downstroke — certainly still reverberates through many genres of music from the Acadiana region. “His guitar was strong and steady,” says Tisserand. “It wasn’t like he was playing jazz solos that you could point to and say ‘that’s a D.L. lick.’ His playing was just steady and WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018 deep, and I definitely hear that same style 6 P.M.– 8:30 P.M. of Cajun rhythm guitar in the music of artists like, say, Christine Balfa.” HYATT REGENCY NEW ORLEANS Though his guitar style carries on, there doesn’t really exist another artist that mixes ELITE HALL 601 LOYOLA DRIVE Cajun and hard core country like Menard. “Really, there is no one living now who is writing that many solid Cajun songs,” says Meet over 130 top Wedding Experts, Greely. “I am not a songwriter like that even though I’ve written a lot of songs. He had Bridal Fashions, Free Tastings and More! success after success, in terms of quality.” Luckily, unlike so many other obscure Win a Honeymoon Trip courtesy of Town & Country Cajun geniuses, Menard was revered while Travel and Great Door Prizes he walked the Earth and is in little danger of being forgotten now that he’s gone home. “I think he did get the credit he deserved Tickets on sale now at BrideNewOrleans.com and I am very happy about that!” says Greely. “He didn’t get as much money as he should have made, but he was honored by his country as one of the foremost exporters of this culture’s music.”

82 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 83 culture les personnes catch her if you can

The need for speed sprouted in Lafayette race car driver Sarah Montgomery at an early age

By William Kalec | Portrait by romero & Romero

In addition to being an exceptional racer, Montgomery is also an accomplished clarinetist. She’s performed in Carnegie Hall and remains one of the youngest members of the Acadiana Wind Symphony Orchestra.

84 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 W ith her hands placed at — Montgomery rolled her car 10 and 2 on the steering wheel, several times in Turn 2 at the an anxious fire ignites within Canadian Tire Motorsport Sarah Montgomery. The hum Park in Ontario. The Lafayette of idle horsepower rattles native was examined on-site throughout the frame of the before being transported to a vehicle and when the flag drops, local medical facility for further it becomes unbridled. observation. Montgomery The intensity forever embla- doesn’t remember much from zoned across the face of this the accident, but media reports 23-year-old freckled redhead claim her car flipped eight is hidden behind a helmet and times. Montgomery suffered a shield, providing temporary concussion and a few broken anonymity the obvious outlier ribs — enough to end her 2017 relishes. Out here on the track, race season prematurely. she’s not different, she’s not When asked about the a trendsetter, and she’s not “a crash, the usually loquacious story.” She’s just a racer. Montgomery is at a loss for Enduring a ruthless test that words…whether organically is equal parts mental and physi- or intentionally. Either way, cal, Montgomery straddles the her social media accounts line between speed and control provide the most insight into like one of the Flying Wallenda her current state, the most circus performers, while sweat enlightening posts authored pours at Patrick Ewing levels. on July 13 and August 16, A long left. A tight right. A respectively, which read “I’ll be slight brake then punch of the back in the cockpit soon,” and gas. She’s in complete control “God has a plan.” of this savage motorized ballet, “It’s not so much the rehab maneuvering her car like a that’s the issue, it’s finding the Tetris piece…if Tetris pieces sponsorships,” Montgomery zoomed in excess of 140 miles says. “That’s really the main per hour, that is. focus, not if I can race. There’s Best of all, two years from no question about that. I’ve now, Montgomery — the lone been racing my whole life.” “Cajun Queen of Cars” — will This never-before-seen finally be able to rent one from (Montgomery is the only female Hertz or Enterprise without a professional race car driver in co-signer. Louisiana, after all) love affair “I don’t really look at it between little girl and loud like that, look at everything engines materialized when I’ve done,” Montgomery says. Montgomery was 10 years old. “I’ve always looked forward. I Her parents took her to an appreciate the things my team Indy Car race at Texas Motor has accomplished in racing, and Speedway in Fort Worth. In I’m proud of those accomplish- the field that day was Danica ments. But I’m always looking Patrick — the most successful for, ‘What’s next?’ It’s just the woman in open-wheel racing. way I see racing, just to push Added on top of that inspira- forward and go faster.” tion was the sensory overload Which is why this summer attached to the event — the seemed endless — and not in noise, the smell of burnt rubber the cool 1970s surfer movie and spent fuel, the flash of color kind of way. racing across impressionable In mid-May — during the eyes. Montgomery was hooked. infancy of her first season “Just seeing someone do that, racing the Pirelli World Chal- my instinct was, ‘I want to do lenge Series for Shea Racing that, too!’” Montgomery says.

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Unlike traditional sports like baseball, football and basketball, car racing doesn’t have an organic or established path to professional stardom. There’s no high school auto racing teams, no AAU summer circuits. So Montgomery and her family did their homework and got their then-little girl into the regional go-kart dirt oval track scene at age 13. We’re talking tracks hidden amongst myriad backroads, places GPS still hasn’t found. The crowds were minimal. The conditions were Spartan. The grind for Montgomery’s parents — spending free time hopping from race to race — was beyond real, but the passion Montgomery exuded was genuine. “Being out there just felt right to me,” Montgomery says. “This is where I belong. This is what I’m meant to do. And the years you spend doing that, where there’s not a lot of glory and there’s not a lot of attention on you, will test if you really want to race. And I really wanted to race. I didn’t stop.” While majoring in marketing at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (a degree that’s come in extremely handy as she essentially sells her merits to potential sponsors) Montgomery raced on weekends and between semesters. After a few years spent dominating the Specs Miata racing circuit, Montgomery joined ALARA Racing in 2015 and drove the Lemons of Love/Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission car in the Pro Racing Battery Tender MX-5 Cup — a league with tour stops across North America. Montgom- ery’s driving prowess and ability to attract eyeballs caught the attention of Shea Racing earlier this year, as they added the up-and-comer to their Pirelli World Challenge Series lineup, specifically racing in the TCA class. No matter what or where Montgomery has raced, the fact that she’s a girl in a guy’s world is always a topic of conversation — a conversation she doesn’t duck, but embraces. Montgomery wants to be a role model, wants to blaze a path for followers and — as she so often hashtags on her Twitter account — wants others to know it’s OK to #drivelikeagirl. “It’s not too much,” Montgomery says of attention usually being the only female on the track attracts. “It’s not a burden. It never has been. If someone looks at me as an example, then that’s just an honor.”

86 | acadiana profile october/november 2017 acadianaprofile.com | 87 culture en français, s’il vous plaît

les ailes au- dessus de l’acadiana par david cheramie

En passant par l’aéroport international de la Nouvelle- Orléans, nommé pour son résident le plus connu, Louis Armstrong, nos visiteurs arrivant en Acadiana sont en droit d’être confus par son code AITA, ces trois lettres qui désignent les aéroports, MSY en l’occurrence. Si les amateurs et des scieries de cipre, est tués dans des accidents séparés, John B. Moisant et sa chatte Mademoiselle Fifi de trivia louisianais savent de rigueur. Il semblerait que en 1934 et 1936, mettant fin à qui a assisté au premier que ces initiales représentent la Louisiane ait le chic pour cette entreprise. vol avec passager au- dessus de la Manche le Moisant Stock Yards, les parcs joindre deux choses à première Récemment les électeurs 23 août 1910. à bétails de Moisant, l’identité vue étrangères l’une à l’autre, de Lafayette ont approuvé de ce monsieur reste inconnue mais ce mélange s’explique une taxe temporaire pour pour la plupart. On peut croire facilement. Jimmy Wedell financer la construction d’un Lorsqu’on parle de l’aviation qu’il était le propriétaire d’un était un jeune homme pressé, nouveau terminal à l’aéroport à Lafayette, le nom de Paul vaste terrain servant autrefois à amoureux de vitesse. D’abord Lafayette Regional, confirmant Fournet est inévitable. Comme entreposer les vaches, mais John mécanicien automobile, il a vite l’importance ils accordent à Moisant, Wedell et Williams, il Moisant était au fait un des appris à construire et à piloter l’aviation. Avant la Deuxième a eu un accident d’avion, mais pionniers de l’aviation. Au début ses propres avions. Il a voulu Guerre Mondiale, son site il l’y a survécu. Néanmoins, il du XXe siècle, il a popularisé être pilote pendant la Première actuel était un champ ouvert n’a plus jamais marché. Comme la montée des « barnstorm- Guerre Mondiale, mais on l’a qui permettait les décollages Wedell et son seul œil, cet ers », ces acrobates aériens qui refusé à cause de la perte d’un et atterrissages dans n’importe obstacle ne l’a pas empêché de captivaient l’imagination du œil dans un accident de moto. quelle direction. Pendant la fonder sa propre compagnie, public avec leurs exploits. Il était Néanmoins, il a pu acquérir guerre, il servait à former les dont le logo était un pilote assis le premier aviateur à survoler, l’expérience nécessaire pour pilotes du Corps aérien de dans un fauteuil roulant ailé. avec un passager, une ville, Paris, que l’Armée le prenne comme l’Armée en utilisant des PT19 Fournet Air Services assurait et la Manche et ce en 1910, à instructeur. Le fait d’être borgne Fairchild. Un de ces jeunes les opérations de l’aéroport peine six ans après le vol des n’était pas une entrave à sa formateurs était un certain desservant surtout l’industrie frères Wright. Un peu plus tard carrière. En 1933, il détenait Roger Larrivée. Il n’était pas pétrolière dans le golfe. À cette même année, il s’est tué le record de vitesse en avion originaire d’Acadiana, mais il son apogée, il employait 132 dans un accident d’avion dans avec un vol à plus de 300 miles s’est marié avec une Mouton personnes. En 2014, une un champ pas loin de l’actuel à l’heure. Il a attiré l’attention après avoir vu sa photo dans plaque était posée à l’entrée de aéroport qui honore sa mémoire du millionnaire Harry P. la vitrine d’un studio de l’aéroport, désignant l’endroit sur les étiquettes de bagage. Il Williams, dont la famille avait photographie. Le couple a vécu « Aérodrome Paul-Fournet ». a mis la barre haute pour ceux fait fortune dans le pétrole, le un peu partout à cause de sa Comme les autres aviateurs qui qui allaient le suivre dans la folle sucre et, vous l’avez peut-être carrière de pilote. Il a même l’ont précédé, il a surmonté les histoire de l’aviation chez nous. deviné, la récolte de cipre. Avec été le pilote de deux présidents épreuves pour aller plus haut et Si on veut approfondir ses l’expertise de Wedell et l’argent américains, Kennedy et Nixon, plus loin. connaissances du développe- de Williams, ils ont formé le sur Air Force One. Une fois ment de l’aviation en Acadiana, Wedell-Williams Air Service la guerre terminée, l’aéroport un arrêt à Patterson dans une qui connaissait un grand succès. est retourné à la vie civile et sa bâtisse au nom cocasse, le musée Malheureusement, la tragédie a transformation vers le présent a For an English translation, Wedell-Williams de l’aviation encore frappé quand ils ont été commencé. visit acadianaprofile.com.

88 | acadiana profile october/november 2017