17th annual Soirée Royale is Sept. 14

Soirée Royale, a tasting event and culinary competition of Acadiana’s finest chefs, is scheduled Sept. 14 at Evangeline Downs Event Center in Opelousas.
The annual event, now celebrating its 17th year, is presented by the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce as a premier event and an education scholarship fundraiser for graduating high students in St. Landry Parish. The Chamber of Commerce provided over $10,000 in scholarships for students in May 2015.
Republic National Distributing Company and Bayou Teche Brewing return this year to kick-off the event at 5:30 p.m. for a special wine and craft beer tasting. Food tasting begins at 6 p.m.
Tickets and chef registration forms may be obtained from the Chamber website at www.stlandrychamber.org; by emailing chamber@stlandrychamber.org or by calling the Chamber office at 337-942-2683. Tickets for the event are $40. A portion of the funds from this event pays for the Felix Dezauche-J.W. Lowe scholarship and the Opelousas/St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Scholarship.
Each year, more than 35 chefs from across Acadiana participate in Soirée Royale, attracting an audience of some 600 to 750 guests.
The celebrity judges include Chef Marty Cosgrove with K-Pauls Catering Expedition, Smiley Anders, author and columnist with The Advocate, Chef Derrick Beverly with the Louisiana Culinary Institute, Chef Maureen Little with Virtual Bistro Catering, Phil Boggan with the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Mike Diehl with Ventura Foods and Alice Morrow, author and food blogger with Geaux Ask Alice.
Cash prizes are offered to winners.
one of the most important elements of the event is the promotion it offers area restaurants and chefs, which in turn creates a stronger cultural economy for our culinary industry.
Tickets and chef registration forms may be obtained from the Chamber website at www.stlandrychamber.org; by emailing chamber@stlandrychamber.org or by calling the Chamber office at 337-942-2683. Tickets for the event are $40. A portion of the funds from this event pays for the Felix Dezauche-J.W. Lowe scholarship and the Opelousas/St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Scholarship.