Tasters tantalized at Choice event

Chef’s lips were zipped, but tasters’ mouths were in full motion at the Eunice Community Health Center’s Taster’s Choice event Thursday night.
“I can’t tell you what’s in it,” said Rocky Fontenot of Rocky’s Restaurant, laughing, as he served up cups of his Cajun Chili. “I can tell you the meat is fresh from the Eunice Superette.
“We’ve cooked each year of the event and won twice, and we like to mix it up and change our dish every year.”
Four hundred people attended the event, up from last year’s 350 guests, and the cooking competition featured dishes from three professional cooking teams and 17 amateur cooking teams. Tasters sampled more than 30 dishes including king cake, boudin king cake, tasso and crawfish bisque, jambalaya and peanut butter chocolate cake.
In the professional category, first place went to Ronnie’s Cajun Cafe, second went to Coushatta Casino Resort and third place was awarded to Rocky’s Restaurant. In the amateur category, first place went to Outdoor Cajun Cooking, second went to the Eunice Mardi Gras Association and third place was awarded to Savoie’s/Washington Career Center. First place in the dessert category went to Wolverine, second place went to Trinity Medical and third place was awarded to Sugar and Spice. People’s Choice award for Best Entree was awarded to Savoie’s/Washington Career, and People’s Choice award for Best Dessert was awarded to Sugar and Spice.
Dolores Johnson of Eunice seemed likely to cast her People’s Choice entree vote for a beef stew dish.
“It was spicy but really good, but you know we love our spicy food,” Johnson said, laughing.
It was Johnson’s first time at the event as well as the first time for fellow taster Tasha Aucoin of Church Point.
“Savoie’s made some kind of alligator-and-sausage chowder,” Aucoin said. “It was so good. I also ate some deer chili and some stew. The Cajun Taters from Ronnie’s Cajun Cafe were great, too.”
Several cooks at the event prepared stew, including Kim Leger with the Re-elect Bobby Guidroz cooking team.
“It’s got pork, corn, carrots and potatoes,” said Leger, who also cooked at last year’s event. “People say it tastes just like their mama’s cooking and that’s the best compliment for me, especially with all the great Cajun cooks we have.”
The event also featured live and silent auctions and live music by Le Rocolte.
“This year’s event was a big success,” said Yancy Fontenot, executive director of the Eunice Community Health Center. “Its been wonderful. It’s a great social event that we look forward to having every year.”