La. takes the spotlight at Epcot Festival

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Sep 28, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Louisiana is making a big splash at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. At the invitation of Disney, the state is participating as a major presence at the 13th annual Epcot International Wine and Food Festival, which opened Friday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 9.

One of the largest and longest-running food and wine festivals in the world, the six-week event showcases foods from countries on six continents, as well as music and arts. Louisiana is the only U.S. state-dedicated food experience in this year’s festival. Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who oversees the Louisiana Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism, said the state’s participation provides Louisiana an opportunity to share its culture and heritage with travelers from throughout the world.

The Louisiana experience — “My Louisiana” — will feature a food and beverage kiosk, an artisan area, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, children’s activities and a merchandise and artisan shop modeled after the French Market. Custom-built by Walt Disney Imagineering, the area offers a sensory experience of Louisiana’s culture and heritage.

Each week “My Louisiana” features a different region of the state, focusing on the state’s newly launched Culinary Trails. Chefs from throughout the state are participating with cooking demonstrations, and each region will feature a traditional Louisiana recipe. Also being showcased are Louisiana artisans and entertainers. The state also is participating in two additional events, Party for the Senses, Oct. 4, and City Tastes, Nov. 7.

Through Saturday, Oct. 4, the Creole Fusion region featuring New Orleans, St. Tammany and Jefferson parishes is being showcased. Presenting outdoor cooking demonstrations will be chefs Haley Bitterman, April Bellow and Louis Finnan. Indoor cooking demonstrations will be presented by Steve McHugh, and chef Tory McPhall will oversee cooking for Party for the Senses. Entertainment during the kick-off period will feature Abita Blues Band, Amanda Shaw and the Treme Brass Band. Storytellers will include Grayhawk Perkins and an Islenos couple. A children’s area will feature a program on “Good Food for You” sponsored by the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Gumbo will be sold, and artisans will be selling jewelry, crafts and porcelain and Mardi Gras masks.

The Capitol Cuisine region will anchor the final week, Sunday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 9. Stacy Simon, project co-ordinator for the Baton Rouge CVB, helped organize the program for the region, which includes Tangipahoa, Livingston, Ascension, River Parishes, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana and East and West Baton Rouge parishes.

“This is such an opportunity,” said Simon. “And the amount of work the state has put into this is very impressive.”

She is equally impressed with the attention to detail and safety required by Disney. “People (travelers) have expectations for Disney and they (Disney) made sure we are being up to these expectations. It’s been great,” said Simon.

Among those participating for the Capitol Region will be chef Don Bergeron of East Baton Rouge, Phil O’Donnell of Ponchatoula and Jeremy Langlois of Ascension. Entertainment will be presented by the Bagasse Boyz of Livingston, Judy Davis of Darrow and Kenny Acosta Band of Baton Rouge. Artisans will included mud painter Henry Neubig, painter Alvin Batiste of Donaldsonville, toothpick artist Michael Smith and woodcarver Henry Watson. Storytellers will be Angela Matherne and Melinda Bernard of Destrehan and Gene Seneca, Atchafalaya Basin. Taking part in the Louisiana City Taste event will be chefs John Folse and  O’Donnell.

The second week, Oct. 5-11, will feature two regions: Delta Delights, including Monroe and Ruston in partnership with the Prairie Alexandria, Prairie Home Cooking. Participating chefs will include Chris Fett, Stacey Pardue, outdoor demonstrations; Cory Bahr and Leonis Kelone, ticketed parties. Area artisans will be Rick Blue, pine needle baskets; Wayne Horton, glass with pottery jewelry and pottery; and Betty Crouch, pottery featuring three-dimensional Louisiana seafood. Entertainment will be provided by Johnny O’Neal and Rusty Allen and the kids area will featured Dee Scallan with crawfish tales.

Third week, Oct. 12-18, will be the Seafood Sensation region featuring Lake Charles. Participating chefs will be Joe Heacook and Jude Theroit. Artisans will be Emma Hughes and Simone Little. Entertainment will be provided by Zydecane.

Fourth week, Oct. 19-25, will be the Red River Riches region, including Shreveport, Sabine, Webster, Natchitoches and Caddo parishes. Among those featured will be Ben Fidelack of Natchitoches and Saul Williams of Shreveport, outdoor chefs, and David Bridges, chef. Entertainers will be Prof. Pork Chop and Dixie Tradition. Artisans will be Eugene Mosley, portrait artist, and woodworker Debbie Paul.

The fifth week, Oct. 26-Nov. 1, will be the Cajun Bayou Bounty region in Acadiana, including Lafayette. Gerald Breaux, executive director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau, said featured entertainment will be the Grammy nominated Pine Leaf Boys. Participating chefs will be Marcelle Bienvenu and Brian Blanchard. Junior Martin of Martin’s Accordions will be showcased. Products from two of the region’s famed companies, Tabasco and Konrico Rice will be used throughout the six weeks.