A Trade Winds Dinner in Baton Rouge

Something's been cooking over in Lafayette. Since last fall, the Pig & Plough Supper Series, presented by Acadiana Food Circle, has enchanted crowds with vibrant Louisiana foods and produce—sometimes deconstructed, sometimes chopped or puréed, but always revered by both chefs and guests. It's a celebration of chefs, of slow food, of history, and of community. And now we're lucky enough to have it in Baton Rouge.

Monday, June 2, marked the first Red Stick installment of the Pig & Plough Suppers. The event, held at Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar on Jefferson Highway, called itself "A Trade Winds Dinner" and benefited Cooking Matters for Families, an organization dedicated to helping families shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget. Chefs Jeremy Conner (Village Café), Nathan Gresham (Beausoleil), and Jay Ducote (Bite & Booze Radio Show) held court in the kitchen, working with a dedicated crew to issue plate after plate of glorious global cuisine.

The menu took inspiration from free very diverse geographic spots: the Caribbean, West Africa, and South Louisiana, all linked by a history of commerce and exchange. Indie Plate, Baton Rouge's gourmet grocery delivery service, provided an ample supply of ingredients. Goodie bags with treats from Bread & Circus Provisions in Lafayette lined the table. And no one went home hungry.

While the next event doesn't have a firm date on the calendar yet, co-founder Tyler Thigpen hopes for another go-round in Baton Rouge. Keep your eyes open and fingers crossed! You can follow Pig & Plough's Facebook page here.

And check out some mouthwatering visuals below:

All photos by Lucie Monk.