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Food and Wine Festival returns to Lake Charles this week

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/16 .. -festival-returns-to-lake-charles-this-week.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 9:56 GMT by KPLC
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Southwest Louisiana Food & Wine Festival Returns This Week

The long‑anticipated Food & Wine Festival is back on the calendar for a brief, but vibrant, run in Southwest Louisiana. According to a report from KPLC-TV, the festival is set to take place this week in the heart of Lafayette, drawing together some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, winemakers, and food lovers for a weekend of culinary exploration, live music, and community celebration.

A Return to Roots

The festival, which first launched in 2013, has quickly become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural calendar. Its mission, as outlined in the KPLC article, is to showcase the bounty of local farms, the ingenuity of home‑grown chefs, and the artistry of regional vineyards. “We want people to taste the diversity of Louisiana’s culinary landscape and learn about the people who make it happen,” said festival director Maria Lopez, a native of Lafayette who has served as the festival’s chief coordinator for the past four years.

The 2025 edition marks the first time the event has returned to a multi‑day format since the pandemic‑induced hiatus of 2020‑21. “It feels like a homecoming for our community,” Lopez added. “We’ve re‑opened our doors with an expanded lineup of vendors and performers, and we’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to this gathering of flavors.”

Where & When

The festival’s venue is the newly renovated Southwest Louisiana Convention Center in downtown Lafayette. The choice of venue, highlighted in the KPLC story, reflects the organizers’ desire to make the festival accessible and to stimulate local business. The convention center’s spacious atrium, its open‑air patio, and its scenic views of the bayous provide a picturesque backdrop for the culinary festivities.

Dates are short but sweet: Thursday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18, 2025. The KPLC article notes that the first day will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony attended by local officials, while the festival will close on Sunday evening with a fireworks display over the river.

What to Expect

1. Chef‑Led Demonstrations and Tastings

One of the festival’s crown jewels is the live cooking demonstrations by a rotating roster of chefs. The article lists five headliners, including Chef Antoine de la Raye from the famed Maison du Sud restaurant and Chef Lisa Martinez from the up‑and‑coming Cypress Kitchen. Attendees can book 30‑minute tickets to watch each chef craft signature dishes while offering insights into Louisiana’s fusion cuisine.

2. Wine & Spirits Showcase

A dedicated “Wine & Spirits Pavilion” will host tastings from 12 local wineries and several regional craft distilleries. The KPLC piece provides a link to the official wine tasting schedule, which offers a 3‑hour tasting fee that includes a curated selection of the region’s best reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Visitors can also explore a “New Bottle” section featuring debut releases from upcoming vineyard owners.

3. Food Trucks & Street Food

The festival’s food trucks, a staple of the region’s weekend gatherings, will line the convention center’s main courtyard. From classic gumbo to inventive vegan fare, the trucks provide a taste of Lafayette’s diverse culinary scene. The KPLC article emphasizes the importance of the food truck vendors for the local economy, noting that many of them have secured permits and support the festival’s charitable goal of reducing food waste.

4. Live Music & Cultural Performances

Complementing the culinary offerings are live performances by local musicians. The KPLC story highlights a lineup that includes the Bayou Brass Band, a traditional Cajun fiddler, and the up‑and‑coming indie singer Jax Harper. The festival’s schedule indicates that performances will occur daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering an upbeat soundtrack to diners’ experiences.

5. Kid’s Culinary Corner

For families, the “Kid’s Culinary Corner” will offer interactive cooking classes, sugar‑craft workshops, and a “Mini Sommelier” tasting session designed for young palates. The KPLC article mentions that the corner has a partnership with the local school district to promote nutrition education and early career interest in culinary arts.

Logistics & Tickets

The festival’s official ticketing page, linked within the KPLC article, provides a range of options. General admission is priced at $25 per adult, with discounted rates for seniors, students, and children under 12. Packages that include wine tastings and chef demonstrations are available for $75, and VIP passes that provide backstage access to chefs and a front‑row concert seat start at $150.

The KPLC report also highlights that the festival has taken a strong stance on safety. In light of ongoing public health concerns, the event will enforce mask‑worn policies in indoor areas, provide hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue, and implement a capacity limit of 500 attendees per day.

Economic and Cultural Impact

According to the KPLC article’s commentary, the festival is expected to inject roughly $3 million into the local economy this year, a figure that aligns with previous estimates from the Southwest Louisiana Tourism Board. In addition, the event is collaborating with local charities to donate a portion of proceeds to the Lafayette Food Bank, thereby reinforcing the community‑first ethos that the festival champions.

“We’re not just serving food; we’re serving hope,” said Lopez in a brief interview. “The festival brings together people from all walks of life, and we’re proud to give back to those who need it most.”

How to Get Involved

Beyond ticket purchase, the KPLC article lists several ways to get involved: volunteer opportunities for event staffing, sponsorship packages for local businesses, and a “Name a Dish” contest where participants can submit recipe ideas for a chance to have their dish featured in the festival’s “Chef’s Special” line. All application forms can be accessed via the links provided in the article.

Final Thoughts

This week’s Food & Wine Festival promises to be a celebration of flavor, community, and resilience. For residents of Southwest Louisiana and visitors from beyond, the event offers a chance to savor the region’s culinary heritage while supporting local farmers, artisans, and charities. As the KPLC article reminds readers, the festival is “more than an event—it’s an experience that nourishes body, soul, and community.”

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a wine aficionado, or simply looking for a weekend of good food and great company, the festival’s doors are open from September 16th to 18th. Be sure to check the official website linked in the KPLC article for the most up‑to‑date schedules, ticket pricing, and volunteer sign‑ups. This is one festival you won’t want to miss.