We take food seriously – in the most fun way possible. Every year, new eateries pop up in Acadiana – some focusing on local cooking traditions and others that are on point with national culinary trends, and we love the diverse options that the area has to offer. Our food expert Cheré Coen really took one for the team with this issue, as she was faced with the difficult task of choosing the best newcomers for you to try out (pg. 52). We suspect she wasn’t too upset.
Each spot she chose is full of flavor, and the chefs and entrepreneurs behind the ventures are obviously passionate about what they do – just as Acadians are passionate about what they eat. Our other culinary experts, Jyl Benson and Marcelle Bienvenu, complement this cover story by giving you intel on seafood hotspots (pg. 34), and cooking with crawfish (pg. 36), respectively. On top of that, Home Shopping (pg. 18) by Ashley Hinson gives you a guide to kitchen knives that’ll help you chop your ingredients to perfection.
To balance out all the cooking and eating you’ll be doing after you put this issue down, Suzanne Ferrara checked in with local health and fitness experts to help you get in shape both mentally and physically (pg. 48). These professionals offer advice to keep you motivated and find a routine that works best for your schedule, and there’s great news: It’s not as difficult as you think, especially with the right attitude.
Though we always focus on the faces and places of Cajun Country, our travel writing duo, Paris Permenter and John Bigley, have explored the sunny springs of Arkansas (pg. 42), in case you’re looking for a place that’s within driving distance for your spring vacation. As usual, we welcome your input and feedback, and hope you enjoy the magazine!
Sarah Ravits,
Managing Editor
