Seventeen years ago, Louisiana Cookin’ introduced its first class of Chefs to Watch. Chefs have been selected from among the ranks of Louisiana chefs year after year, esteemed for their aptitude for innovation and simultaneous dedication to Louisiana’s culinary heritage.
Every year, we continue to recognize these talented chefs who best represent the culinary future of the state. Seven chefs from six restaurants have been selected for 2018, which is a testament to the evolving enterprise of Louisiana’s cuisine. Each of these chefs embodies passion for the thriving culinary traditions of the state, but they also have a certain quality that convinces us they will only continue to build on those traditions, relentlessly pursuing the craft with marked creativity.
Additionally, a Chefs to Watch Dinner is held each year to celebrate the current class of chefs alongside their families, colleagues, and other supporters. The dinner is an opportunity for the chefs to collectively showcase their talents and their recipes.
This year’s Chefs to Watch Dinner will be held in New Orleans at the famed Galatoire’s. Established over 100 years ago, Galatoire’s legacy and its customs hold fast under the fifth generation of Jean Galatoire’s family and descendants. The juxtaposition of the Chefs to Watch preparing their dishes in the kitchen of Galatoire’s exemplifies the beautiful tension of tradition and forward movement Chefs to Watch classes have epitomized over the years.
The 2018 Chefs to Watch are Danny Alas and Justin Rodriguez of Paloma Cafe, Christina Balzebre of Levee Baking Co., Marcus Jacobs of Marjie’s Grill, Dustie Latiolais of Cochon Cannery, Sean Rivera of GastreauxNomica, and Holly Schreiber of Sainte Terre.
