Southern Palette: Food & Drink Experience Debuts in Baton Rouge, LA
A chef-driven celebration of Southern flavor, culture, and creativity benefiting the LSU Museum of Art on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in downtown Baton Rouge.
BATON ROUGE, LA — This spring, Baton Rouge will welcome a bold new culinary destination as Southern Palette: Food & Drink Experience makes its debut, bringing together award-winning chefs, innovative mixologists, and curated wines for an immersive celebration of Southern food culture.
Presented by the Friends of the LSU Museum of Art, Southern Palette is more than a tasting event; it is a thoughtfully curated experience where cuisine, conversation, and creativity intersect. Set beneath the oak trees and within the cultural heart of downtown Baton Rouge, the festival invites guests to sample inspired dishes and beverages while engaging directly with the chefs and makers behind them.
Southern Palette highlights the diversity and evolution of Southern-inspired cuisine, showcasing flavors rooted in tradition alongside contemporary interpretations that reflect the region’s creativity and influence. Throughout the event, guests will enjoy chef-prepared tastings, handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and a vibrant atmosphere designed to encourage connection, discovery, and shared experience.
“Southern Palette reflects the same values that guide the Museum’s work every day, celebrating culture, fostering creativity, and bringing people together in meaningful ways,” said Claire Major, Event Chair and Friends Board member. “This event places Baton Rouge on the map as a destination for culinary excellence while supporting the Museum’s mission and programs.”
Proceeds from Southern Palette directly benefit the LSU Museum of Art, supporting exhibitions, education initiatives, and community outreach programs that serve audiences across the region.
Southern Palette: Food & Drink Experience will take place Saturday, March 21, 2026, in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Tickets and additional event details are available at southernpalette.org.
Headline Chefs & Mixologists
Southern Palette will feature an impressive lineup of chefs from across the South, including:
Chefs
Stephanie Paoletti (Ocean Springs, Mississippi)
Kevin Foil (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Jay Ducote (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Alex Harrell (Covington, Louisiana)
Tara Stuart (Gulfport, Mississippi)
Kelsey Leger (Lafayette, Louisiana)
Jordon Ramirez (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Jarita Frazier-King (Natchez, Mississippi)
Orlando Amaro (Fairhope, Alabama)
Raven Allen (Gulfport, Mississippi)
Daniel Dreher (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Kenta Kamo (Denver, Colorado)
Farrell Harrison (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Sophia Marie (McComb, Mississippi)
David Crews (Mississippi Delta)
Michael Paoletti (Ocean Springs, Mississippi)
Justin Lambert (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Justin Flit (Miami, Florida)
Aaron Burgau (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Jim Urdiales (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Ciara Finley (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Cordell Walker (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Celeste Gill (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Ashley Dominique (New Orleans, Louisiana)
William Wells (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Amanda Cursey (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
Jon Jackson (Baton Rouge, LA)
Mixologists & Beverage Talent
Alan Walter (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) — Mixologist
Marie King (Los Angeles, California) — Mixologist
Luke Tullos (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) — Spirits Educator / Mixologist
Additional talent may be announced.
About the LSU Museum of Art
Located in the Shaw Center for the Arts in downtown Baton Rouge, the LSU Museum of Art inspires discovery and dialogue through exhibitions, collections, and educational programs that reflect regional, national, and global perspectives. Learn more about the museum at www.lsumoa.org.
Contact
For more information about Southern Palette: Food & Drink Experience, please contact Sandy Parfait, LSU Museum of Art Assistant Director of Operations & Visitor Services, at sandyparfait@lsu.edu