Top chefs

The James Beard Foundation is known for recognizing talented chefs from across the country, and often bringing them to the James Beard House in New York City’s West Village to show off their skills for dinner guests. Of course, Louisiana has been well represented. When chef Jeremy Langlois of Houmas House Plantation prepared a meal at the Beard House in February—featuring dishes like Zapp’s potato chip-crusted grouper and curried pumpkin, crawfish and corn bisque—he told 225, “It’s an honor to be invited It’s a bucket list item, for sure.”

More on Louisiana’s culinary feats at the James Beard House:

87 Number of Louisiana chefs who have been featured at the James Beard House’s dinners to date. A couple Baton Rouge-area chefs who have cooked there recently:

The Ruffino’s chef returns to the Beard House for his second time in September.

The Galatoire’s Bistro chef assisted chef Michael Sichel of the New Orleans Galatoire’s during a dinner in March.

The chef and general manager of Latil’s Landing, Cafe Burnside and The Carriage House at Houmas House Plantation prepared a dinner in February.

The local chef who joined Restaurant IPO last September cooked at the Beard House in 2010, 2011 and for a special Thanksgiving Dinner in 2012.

15 Number of awards dolled out to Louisiana restaurants and chefs for the annual James Beard Foundation Awards since 1991. All of them were New Orleans-based restaurants except one—Mosca’s in Avondale, which is practically New Orleans, anyway.

Commander’s Palace, with awards in 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2013.

Donald Link’s Péche Seafood Grill for the Best New Restaurant award.