The Louisiana Restaurant Association held its 30th annual Taste of Mardi Gras earlier this month at the Randolph Rivercenter in Alexandria.

 

The evening found a record crowd sampling delicious local cuisine while dancing the night away. It was all for a good cause.

 

I spoke with Britney Ford, Chapter Member Services Coordinator of Acadiana/Cenla/Greater Baton Rouge/Southwest regions of the Louisiana Restaurant Association about the beneficiaries of the event.

 

Among the recipients were local and state ProStart programs. The LRA Cenla Chapter supports the LRA Education Foundation, the charitable organization focused on attracting and retaining young people into the restaurant and hospitality industries. Through the ProStart Program in 60 high schools across Louisiana, and the annual scholars program, the LRAEF creates a pipeline directly to work in the restaurant industry or to pursue a culinary or management degree.

 

This connection is vital for young people as they compete for a decreasing number of jobs with an increased number of job pool applicants. Jessica Van Sickle, ProStart sponsor at Natchitoches Central High School, understands the need.

 

Her students will be attending the Louisiana Seafood Louisiana ProStart Invitational in New Orleans for the first time this year as viewers. The annual spring event is composed of two distinct competitions in culinary and management.

 

Teams participating in the Culinary Competition must perform knife skills, then demonstrate their creative abilities by designing a three-course gourmet menu and preparing it in only 60 minutes.

 

I have no doubt the NCHS ProStart students will be attending as competitors next year and I’ll be sure to attend.

 

In the meantime, if y’all ever need a practice judge, I’ll watch your knife skills while sampling your three-course meals anytime!