For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brittany Racca
(337) 365-1540
(888) 942-3742
Books Along the Teche
Literary Festival 2020 -
 "Jazz It Up" Opening Reception
NEW IBERIA, La. --- Attend the Cajun cocktail party featuring music by the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band and Food Network Stars Chefs Cody and Samantha Carroll, on Fri., April 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival.

A Cochon de Lait (pig roast) and local seafood from Delcambre Direct Seafood will be offered in the gardens of Shadows-on-the-Teche, a National Trust for Historic Preservation site, by Chefs Cody and Samantha Carroll. In the event of inclement weather the event will be held at the Sliman Theater, 129 E. Main St.

The event is $50 per person and tickets can be purchased at BonTempsTix.com

About the Chefs:

Born and raised in the small farmer’s town of Batchelor, La., Chef Cody Carroll always made time for the kitchen. It was in his family’s hunting and fishing camps, preparing Louisiana game, waterfowl, and fish that his talent and passion for cooking flourished.

At the age of 18, Cody left his family’s farm to attend Louisiana State University, where he graduated with a degree in Business. He then enrolled at the Louisiana Culinary Institute to acquire his degree in Culinary Arts. It was here that he met Samantha, his future wife and business partner.

Chef Samantha Carroll grew up in the community of Gonzales, located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in South Louisiana. Her love for the culinary arts stems from waking up on weekend mornings to the distinct scent of roux being prepared in her family’s kitchen for gumbo. To this day, she swears there is no better smell.

Chefs Cody and Samantha graduated from culinary school in January 2010, and just three months later, transformed a former drive-through convenience store in New Roads into Hot Tails; a rustic, South Louisiana style restaurant. The establishment was intended to be an outlet for the crawfish being raised in their farm, but has evolved to include a full menu of their versions of Louisiana classic dishes and elevated comfort food. Their dishes have been referred to as “hardcore South Louisiana cuisine.”

Since opening the restaurant, they’ve traveled around the world to showcase Louisiana cooking traditions and ingredients, most notably winning the title of “King and Queen of Louisiana Seafood” in 2013. 

In December 2017, Louisiana’s very own culinary couple rose to fame as Food Network stars, showcasing their farm-to-table cuisine and unique style in the kitchen as a true dynamic-duo on their own show: Cajun Aces.

About the Festival:

With a focus on Great Southern Writers, the festival highlights Iberia Parish authors and others who write about the unique culture of Louisiana. Events include cooking demonstrations, workshops on writing, book fair, academic symposiums, receptions, poetry, music, live oak walk, movie screenings, children's activities, readers theater and more. Participants can learn Cajun dancing or how to play bouree, and tour the areas described in the Dave Robicheaux novels. 

The festival is an event of the Iberia Preservation Alliance, formed by  Iberia Cultural Resources Association ,  Bayou Teche Museum ,  Shadows-on-the-Teche and the  New Iberia Main Street Program .

To purchase tickets, day passes and all inclusive passes, visit  BonTempsTix.com .

For festival information, e-mail  [email protected] or call Shadows-0n-the-Teche at (337) 369-6446. Visit  booksalongthetecheliteraryfestival.com or their  Facebook , and sign up for festival updates on  IberiaTravel.com (select Dave Robicheaux news). For travel information, visit  Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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The Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official parish marketing agency promoting New Iberia, Avery Island, Jefferson Island, Jeanerette, Loreauville and Delcambre as a destination. Marketing programs target leisure travelers, business travelers, media, entertainment industry, and the travel trade including group tour planners, meeting planners, sports planners and special event planners. The bureau operates a parish welcome center in New Iberia, Louisiana.
 
For more information on parish events and tourism assets, call the bureau at 337-365-1540 or visit  IberiaTravel.com