A New Signature Food Event for Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge will host a new culinary event next weekend as the LSU Museum of Art launches Southern Palette, a large-scale food and beverage fundraiser designed to celebrate Southern cuisine and support the museum’s long-term mission.
The event will feature 30 chefs from across the South, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Colorado, and California. Each chef will create a signature small dish for guests to sample throughout the evening.
According to organizers, the museum has never hosted a major fundraising event like this in its 60-year history. Southern Palette aims to fill that gap while introducing more people to the museum and its programs.
30 Chefs, Dozens of Dishes
Guests can expect a wide variety of dishes highlighting regional flavors and culinary creativity.
Some menu highlights include:
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Cajun smoked salmon
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Savory seafood bread pudding
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Smoked gouda shrimp and grits
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Cherry-smoked tri-tip with chimichurri
The tasting format allows attendees to sample dishes from dozens of chefs in one evening. Organizers say visiting each restaurant individually would take months and cost far more.
The goal is to let guests meet the chefs, learn about their creations, and experience Southern cuisine as an art form.
Craft Cocktails and Local Ingredients
The event will also feature specialty cocktails designed to complement the food.
Mixologist Alan Walter is creating a cocktail built around rice-based gin from Wonderbird Spirits in Mississippi, combined with Louisiana strawberries, pecans, muscadine wine, and seasonal greens.
The drink highlights local agriculture and seasonal ingredients while keeping flavors balanced so they pair well with a wide range of dishes.
Live Music and Festival Atmosphere
Southern Palette will take place outdoors in Lafayette Park and the Shaw Center plaza, which will be transformed with tents, tasting stations, and a stage.
Entertainment includes:
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Laura Doyle Trio (jazz) from 5–7 PM
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Lynn Drury Band (Louisiana soul and Americana)
Event Details
Southern Palette takes place Saturday, March 21, from 6 PM to 10 PM near the Shaw Center in downtown Baton Rouge.
General admission tickets are $125, and VIP tickets are $225. Organizers say the event supports the LSU Museum of Art’s exhibitions, education programs, and preservation of its 7,000-piece collection.