Client Spotlight: Calzone Chats with Gregory Doucet, Executive Chef at Jolie's Louisiana Bistro, about his Culinary Inspirations

Jolie's Louisiana Bistro Executive Chef, Gregory Doucet

It's always a pleasure sitting down with our clients and having a heart-to-heart. Recently, we chatted with Gregory Doucet, Executive Chef at Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro, about what inspires his culinary creations.

Gregory told us that his passion and talent for cooking has a lot to do with being raised in Lafayette.

“Cooking is a big deal in Lafayette. Everybody cooks and everyone has their own specialty dish. People are proud of cooking here and I definitely have that same pride. There’s a certain work ethic and culture you get from being raised in the South that you just can’t get anywhere else,” said Gregory.

Gregory shared that food is more than what comes on the plate, “It’s the conversations you get from food that brings people together and that’s what it’s all about here.”

Channeling his life experiences and love for food, travel and adventure into all of his dishes is how Gregory keeps the creativity flowing in the kitchen. Jolie’s fresh, local and seasonal concepts are another source of inspiration for him. Not only do customers have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic taste of Acadiana, but they also get to support the local economy.

Gregory had his sights set on a career in the culinary profession from a young age. After graduating from Comeaux High School in Lafayette, he moved to Thibodaux, La. to study Culinary Arts at the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, receiving his B.S. in 2012. He went on to complete his culinary externship at Orienta Beach Club in Manaroneck, N.Y.

We look forward to chatting again soon! To read more about Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro, visit jolieslouisianabistro.com.

Ten Years in the Making: EatLafayette by LafayetteTravel 2014

EatLafayette by LafayetteTravel is in its TENTH year! We are beyond thrilled to be working with LafayetteTravel again on the EatLafayette campaign.

We have some big plans to make this campaign the best yet - we can't give you the secret ingredients to our recipe for a great campaign just yet, though!

Here's what we can tell you:

• Last year, we had over 70 restaurants participate - that's over 70 locally-owned restaurants who employ hundreds of Acadiana residents and are part of thousands of locals' lives every single day.
• EatLafayette isn't just a great opportunity for registered restaurants - it's a great opportunity for sponsors, too! Many of our sponsors take their EatLafayette sponsorship to a whole new level with sponsored promotions throughout the campaign in addition to partnerships with our restaurants throughout the year.
• We're cooking up some really fantastic events and the best way to stay up-to-date is to subscribe to our newsletter! Click here to sign up!
• Another way to stay connected to all things EatLafayette is to chat with us on social media. We love hearing from you and sharing deliciousness with the community.
• If you're interested in EatLafayette, as a restaurant, sponsor, or general idea-giver, we want to hear from you! Email us at help@eatlafayette.com with your questions and ideas!

Stay tuned for food, fun, and festivities!

Calzone & Boulet are 2014 Hydration Station Sponsors for Zydeco Marathon

This month, Calzone will be partnering with Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness Institute to sponsor a hydration station for the Zydeco Marathon on March 30^th.

Not only is our office conveniently located on the race route, but our friends at Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness Institute has been hosting free runners clinics to prepare racers for race day! These things make the perfect combination to give back to our community.

 Zydeco Marathon was founded as a destination event that is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants from outside of Lafayette. The Zydeco Marathon race team expects the economic impact to be more than $3.25 million benefiting local businesses.

All business are encouraged to participate on race day by placing tents and tables along the street to cheer the runners – making the race a community oriented event allowing everyone to participate.

The running course will highlight some of the main attractions Lafayette has to offer and is coordinated by the Zydeco Marathon race team, city officials and police force to ensure a safe and fun event for everyone.

All Zydeco Marathon proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Shelter and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, two local charities. For more information about the Zydeco Marathon, visit zydecomarathon.com.

We hope to see you there! 

Gulf Coast Equestrian Training Academy

Calzone is proud to be working with Gulf Coast Equestrian Training Academy (GCE), the only selective riding academy in the Gulf Coast region. Stationed in Youngsville, GCE will be revolutionizing the way young equestrians are trained.

GCE boarders grazing in the fields

The program will recruit, challenge and encourage talented young riders and their horses to reach their maximum riding potential to achieve their goals and excel in the sport. It is always rewarding to work with companies like GCE that are dedicated to making a difference and helping others.

By enrolling in the GCE program, riders can expect to receive the detailed individual attention and guidance they need from highly qualified and talented trainers to place in competitions and become respected and dignified equestrians. With 145 acres of beautiful property, 14 horse stalls and a covered arena, riders are able to train with all the luxuries and features this state-of-the-art facility has to offer.

GCE Trainer, Lauren Schweppe at H.I.T.S. in Ocala, Fl. 

Scott Butaud, GCE owner and longtime advocate of the sport, developed the mission of GCE as a place where riders can achieve their highest level of individual success and championship while fostering a healthy and competitive spirit. This would not be possible without help from top hunter and jumper trainer Lauren Schweppe from Meadowood Farm, LLC. Schweppe has agreed to travel from Ocala, Fl. on a regular basis to train GCE riders and their horses.

At Calzone, we are inspired by entrepreneurs such as Butaud that are dedicated to making dreams a reality. Working with Scott has been a gratifying experience and we look forward to continuing to help advance the mission of GCE.  

For more information on GCE, visit gulfcoastequestrian.com. 

Community Spotlight: Dunn's Furniture & Interiors Sponsored the Lafayette Go Red for Women Luncheon by the American Heart Association

At Calzone, we love seeing businesses out-and-about in the community and giving back. Dunn’s Furniture and Interiors, one of Lafayette’s leading furniture and interior stores, has been doing just this lately!

Dunn’s was again a sponsor for the Lafayette Go Red for Women Luncheon by the American Heart Association (AHA) on February 20th at the Lafayette Hilton. Dunn’s is an example to others on what a tremendous difference small businesses can make in their local community.

This year, the luncheon hosted Katherine Switzer, the first women to run the Boston Marathon, as the keynote speaker. There was an educational breakout session along with a Purse-onality Auction to benefit the AHA.

AHA’s Go Red for Women Luncheon works to spread education and awareness that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women. The movement also encourages women in their communities to make their heart health a top priority so they can live long and healthy lives.

Judy Dunn, owner of Dunn’s Furniture and Interiors, is no stranger to community philanthropy. She gives back to the community in any way she can and understands the importance of helping charitable organizations raise awareness. She is an inspiration to all of us here at Calzone.

To learn more about Dunn's visit dunnsfurnitureandinteriors.com.

Calzone Celebrates the New Year with a Twelfth Night Party

We here at Calzone are never ones to pass up a good party. In fact, we got pretty burned out on holiday parties at the end of the year! Granted, they were all fabulous, but how were we supposed to throw our own among all the imbibing?

That's when it hit us - Let's make bringing in the start of Carnival with a Twelfth Night party our tradition.

To ring in 2014, we joined Sophi P. Cupcakes to celebrate their new space and had a great time bringing in the new year after all the holiday hubbub.

But celebrating the start of the 2014 Carnival here in South Louisiana is a whole different ball game. It's a New Year party on steroids!

We set up shop down the street at Carpe Diem! Gelato & Espresso and worked with them to choose two delectable gelatos for the party - local satsuma and Sophi P.'s Red Velvet. Of course we had Sophi P cupcakes again - red velvet, and all manner of king cake cupcakes. Get the raspberry-filled ones, trust us!

We had non-alcoholic drinks for DDs and the kiddos, and Prosecco and Hot Buttered Rum made with locally-made Rank Wildcat Spirits' Sweet Crude Rum for the imbibers.

 

A good time was had by all! So many of our friends, clients, and business partners joined us to celebrate the new year and the start of an amazing Carnival season on a very cold night.

#valentine #nolavalentine #Calzone#Love

Gulf Coast Equestrian Training Academy Opens In Youngsville with a New Concept To Revolutionize the Way Young Equestrians are Trained

For Immediate Release:                           

Company Contact:Gulf Coast Equestrian
Scott Butaud
337.319.3425
scott@gulfcoastequestrian.com
Media Contact:Calzone Advertising and Public RelationsJulie Calzone337.235.2924 ext 18
jcalzone@calzone.com

(Youngsville, La.) - Gulf Coast Equestrian (GCE), an equestrian training academy in Youngsville, La.,, has opened as the only selective riding academy in the Gulf Coast region. 

GCE’s training program will recruit, challenge and encourage talented riders and their horses to reach their maximum riding potential to achieve their goals and excel in the sport.

“We are open to any talented rider who is looking to improve their skills to succeed in serious competitions,” said owner and longtime advocate of the sport, Scott Butaud. “We are a place where beginners and accomplished riders can get the guidance they need to advance in the ranks. We are the only place that is specifically designed for that purpose – to make good riders, better riders.”

At GCE, all disciplines are welcome and riders can expect to receive the individual attention and guidance they need from highly qualified instructors such as top hunter and jumper trainer, Lauren Schweppe from Meadowood Farm, LLC. Schweppe has agreed to travel from Ocala, Fl. on a regular basis to train GCE riders and their horses for competitions.

“We are really lucky to have Lauren. She is a top trainer and she is really going to hone the riders nicely,” said Butaud.

Butaud said the mission of GCE is to be a place where riders can achieve their highest level of individual success and championship while fostering a healthy, competitive spirit.

GCE rests on 145 acres of open property with fully equipped horse stalls, and paddocks. GCE is developing state of the art indoor and outdoor arenas.

Equestrians who wish to apply to train at GCE, attend summer classes or board horses may contact Scott Butaud at 337-319.3425 or scott@gulfcoastequestrian.com.