A Slidell chef is packing his knives for Chicago next week. Bryce Granier, executive chef at Palmettos on the Bayou, will represent the Northshore at Taste Louisiana in Chicago on Nov. 4, a one-night showcase bringing 16 of the state's top chefs to the Windy City.
The event runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. that Wednesday, according to a news release, which describes it as featuring “the bold, unforgettable flavors from 16 of Louisiana's top chefs.” General admission tickets are priced at $75 and include unlimited food tastings and one drink ticket, with attendees required to be 21 or older. Tickets are on sale now at tastelouisiana.org.
Granier serves as executive chef at Palmettos on the Bayou, located at 1901 Bayou Lane in Slidell, a restaurant that has served Acadian-style and Creole dishes highlighting fresh Louisiana ingredients since 2002. A Facebook post from Visit The Northshore, published Monday, confirmed Granier's role representing the region at the showcase, alongside a graphic listing the Nov. 4 date and venue details.
Where Exactly Is the Showcase?
Sources differ slightly on the venue's exact name. WGNO reports the culinary showcase will take place at City Hall by Recess in Chicago's West Loop, while Visit Lake Charles describes it as City Hall at Recess — the same formulation used in the Visit The Northshore Facebook post. Either way, attendees can expect a packed evening of Louisiana food, music and culture.
Live music will come courtesy of Wayne Toups and David St. Romain, who are scheduled to perform alongside the food tastings and beverages, per WGNO's reporting. The Northshore won't be the only region represented — Visit Lake Charles says it will send Kathryn Shea Duncan and Chef Lyle Broussard to showcase Southwest Louisiana, with Broussard serving blackened alligator tacos at the event.
A Statewide Tourism Push
The showcase is organized to introduce Chicago guests to Louisiana's food, culture and travel experiences, according to Visit Lake Charles, which notes the event is put on by the Louisiana Travel Association in partnership with destination groups from across the state. St. Mary Now reports the effort is part of a tourism marketing campaign and a collaborative project involving the Louisiana Travel Association, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Cajun Coast Tourism/St. Mary Parish and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board.
This isn't the first time Taste Louisiana has traveled outside the state. A previous showcase was held Oct. 28, 2025, at Chelsea Market in Manhattan, according to New Orleans CityBusiness. That event featured 11 chefs, including Covington's Kim Kringlie of The Dakota Restaurant, and ran on a nearly identical format — 7 to 9:30 p.m., guests 21 and older, and $75 tickets that included unlimited tastings plus two drinks.
For Granier and the rest of the Northshore delegation, the Chicago stop offers another chance to put Slidell's restaurant scene in front of a national audience, continuing a tradition of using food as a gateway to get travelers thinking about a trip south.
