Press Releases

September 14, 2007

LOCAL ORGANIZATION BRINGS LOUISIANA CUISINE TO FAR EAST

NEW ORLEANS, LA – "Laissez les bons temps rouler" may not have the same ring in Chinese, but no matter what language was spoken, the flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine came through loud and clear during an April promotion in Taipei celebrating Louisiana cooking. The success of the month-long promotion led the event's sponsor, the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), to plan a follow-up visit bringing journalists from Taiwan to Louisiana this September. The two promotions are part of SUSTA's mission to promote the unique food products of the southern U.S. to international markets and foster exports from the southern region.

SUSTA partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Taipei to plan both events. This is the second media tour of Louisiana this year conducted by SUSTA and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. SUSTA also brought a group from the Russian network Domasniy Television to the New Orleans area in February. "We are confident that this mission, like previous media visits, will create awareness for southern products, increase exports and showcase cuisine from the southern region," said SUSTA Deputy Director and Generic Program Director Bernadette Wiltz.

Representatives from Taiwan's top media outlets will bring the Louisiana visit to their home audience: Ms. Angela Chuang is a writer for the Liberty Times, one of the island's leading newspapers, and Ms. Joyce Hung reports for China Television Company, one of the largest television channels in Taiwan. Ms. Hung and cameraman Chang-yi Fang will record their travels in Louisiana to be featured on a future broadcast.

The group's culinary adventure across southern Louisiana will begin next week at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. During their visit, the media team will enjoy lunch at the historic Oak Alley Plantation, tour an alligator ranch and a specialty food manufacturing facility, and visit popular New Orleans attractions such as Café du Monde and Aunt Sallie's praline shop. After a lunch prepared by Cajun Chef Roy Lyons, the media mission will conclude at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.

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