Distance may separate Baton Rouge and Shreveport, as the two meetings-friendly destinations are situated opposite each other in southern and northern Louisiana, respectively, but they couldn’t be closer together when it comes to offering delicious food and beverage.
From a fun food tour and hands-on cooking classes in Baton Rouge to beer tasting and a popular art bar in Shreveport, following are several great ideas for planners who would like to incorporate the region’s cuisine into a meeting’s agenda.
Ralph & Kacoo’s, Bossier City
For a taste of savory Cajun food up north, Ralph & Kacoo’s in Bossier City is the place to stop, according to Dianna Douglas, regional sales manager for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.
“Whether you want fish, shrimp or good ole crawfish, you won’t be disappointed,” she says.
The restaurant offers a private dining space for groups of up to 60 people, and they should beware, as the room is home to the restaurant’s mascot, Jumbeaux, a 12-foot faux alligator.
“Groups can also pick up Mardi Gras gifts and souvenirs in the attached False River Gift Shop,” Douglas says.
Baton Rouge Food Tours
The C’est Si Bon Food Tour, operated by Baton Rouge Food Tours, combines food tastings throughout downtown with fun historic, cultural and architectural facts about the city.
“Groups can stroll along the streets of downtown Baton Rouge while savoring one-of-a-kind dishes and hearing stories of Baton Rouge’s exceptional past,” says Christy Chachere, spokeswoman for Visit Baton Rouge.
Along the way groups will sample Louisiana favorites, including po-boys, shrimp and grits, gumbo and beignets.
“These food tours are an excellent way for groups to get to know Baton Rouge on a personal and delectable level,” Chachere says, adding that Baton Rouge Food Tours offers private programs for groups of all sizes and tour duration is two to three hours.
Ristorante Giuseppe, Shreveport
For the past 30 years, Chef Giuseppe Brucia has been serving his brand of fine Italian and Mediterranean cuisine to diners in Shreveport-Bossier.
Menu items include everything from salami and cheese plates, handmade pasta dishes and seared duck breast, to tiramisu and an amaretto house cake for dessert.
Ristorante Giuseppe offers a fine-dining experience and atmosphere for lunch or dinner, as well as a popular Sunday brunch, live music several days per week and private dining space to accommodate groups of up to 100 people.
Tin Roof Brewing Company, Baton Rouge
Tours at Tin Roof Brewing Company include tastings of favorite local beers crafted by ale experts.
According to Chachere, groups can tour “where the magic happens” in the brewery on Fridays at 6 p.m. Afterward they will have the chance to taste a variety of brews, including Juke Joint IPA, Tin Roof Blonde Ale and Voodoo Bengal Pale Ale, which are available all year, and Turnover Harvest Ale, Parade Ground Coffee Porter and Not Too Sweet Watermelon Wheat, which are available seasonally in fall, winter and summer, respectively.
Attendees can also just drop by for a tasting in the tap room, and Tin Roof also has several rental options for group gatherings.
Voodoo Cafe, Shreveport
Voodoo Cafe is an art bar and it’s unlike any other venue in downtown Shreveport’s Red River District, according to Douglas, who says visitors will find live music downstairs and incredible local artwork throughout the venue.
“Groups can rent out the upstairs bar and enjoy a spectacular balcony view of the live music while enjoying privacy and a fun atmosphere,” she says.
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Louisiana Culinary Institute, Baton Rouge
At the Louisiana Culinary Institute, hands-on culinary classes and corporate training or teambuilding events are available for groups ranging from 15 to 100-plus participants.
During these classes and events, according to Visit Baton Rouge’s Chachere, participants can choose either the baking route, which includes creating French and Italian pastries, holiday pies, tarts, and tortes, or the culinary route, which includes learning about Asian cuisine, Louisiana seafood dishes, holiday-inspired appetizers, pastas and more.
“Groups have the unique opportunity to take home deliciously fun memories along with plenty of appetizing food,” she says.
Silver Star Smokehouse and The Stage, Bossier City
“The ribs are, well, finger-licking good and the brisket will melt in your mouth,” says the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s Douglas.
Silver Star Smokehouse can accommodate groups, whether it is two or 1,000 people, she adds.
Attached to the restaurant is The Stage, an outdoor concert and private event venue with a fireplace, outdoor bar and upstairs VIP area that offers a bird’s-eye view of the events below.
Galatoire’s Bistro, Baton Rouge
The award-winning Galatoire’s Bistro is described as having gold trimmings, crisp white tablecloths and the most elegant French cuisine in Baton Rouge.
This traditional bistro offers groups exclusivity with two private dining rooms equipped to accommodate 64 guests each, as well as bar and outdoor patio space for smaller groups.
“But the real reason to visit Galatoire’s is because of the savory dishes served, such as chicken Clemenceau, crabmeat Maison, turtle soup au sherry, stuffed eggplant, sweet breads and more,” Chachere says.
Great Raft Brewing, Shreveport
Great Raft Brewing, according to Douglas, is a purveyor of world-class quality beers that complement the lifestyle and culture of Louisiana.
Southern Drawl Pale Lager, Grace & Grit Double IPA and Reasonably Corrupt Schwarzbier are a few of the popular options in the lineup.
“Great Raft Brewing sold its first pint of beer in October 2013, making the sale the first of a local brew in Shreveport since Prohibition,” Douglas says.
Groups can visit the brewery for tastings and tours and also host events in the new private party room, which just opened in October to accommodate parties of up to 60 people.
Douglas notes that there are also on-site food trucks if the group gets hungry.
Pelican House Tap Room and Whiskey Bar, Baton Rouge
“The Pelican House Tap Room and Whiskey Bar is one of Baton Rouge’s finest group-friendly locations with spacious bar and lounge areas and a drink menu that’s out of this world,” Chachere says.
The Pelican House is indeed a great place for a toast, as its extensive beverage menu includes beer, whiskey, wine and specialty cocktails to satisfy all tastes.
Chachere adds that groups will find the “well-crafted cuisine menu a delicious delight,” featuring fried green tomatoes, blackened alligator, shrimp and grits, po-boys, boudin omelets and more.
