Five Louisiana Chefs Honored with Prestigious Title

New Orleans — Louisiana Cookin’ magazine is pleased to announce its 7th annual Chefs to Watch awards. The award honors and highlights five young chefs who have been in their current position for less than five years and are producing menus and preparing dishes that are fresh, innovative takes on traditional Louisiana ingredients and cuisine.

The 2008 award goes to Chef David Bridges, Bella Fresca, Shreveport; Chef Justin Devillier, La Petite Grocery, New Orleans; Chef Spencer Minch, Emeril’s Delmonico, New Orleans; Chef Jude Tauzin, Catahoula’s Restaurant, Grand Coteau and Catahoula’s on Pinhook, Lafayette; and Chef Sue Zemanick, Gautreau’s, New Orleans.

“Louisiana has a passion for food unlike anywhere else in the world,” said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. “These five chefs are rising stars in our proud culinary tradition, and I congratulate them on their commitment to excellence.”

A five-course dinner menu using one signature dish from each chef will appear in the July/August issue of Louisiana Cookin’, complete with recipes. The chefs will prepare the menu for a benefit dinner later this year with proceeds going to Cafe Reconcile—details and tickets will be available in May on www.LouisianaCookin.com.

“This is year we looked for little twists and personal touches that made the menus and dishes unique and special,” said Romney Richard, founder and Executive Editor of Louisiana Cookin’. “This is a talented young group and we are very happy to honor them.”

Louisiana Cookin’ is the only national publication catering to the connoisseur of Louisiana’s unique culture, cuisine, and travel destinations. Launched in 1997, it is published on a bi-monthly schedule and is mailed to subscribers and distributed to better bookstores and newsstands across the United States. Find Louisiana Cookin’ online at www.louisianacookin.com and stay up-to-date weekly by subscribing to Lagniappe, the magazine’s free email newsletter.

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