CULINARY THRILL SEEKING: Watch your tail at Cajun Fest
Published 3:11 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Knights of Columbus, 3491 of Groves, is a group you’re sure to catch at Cajun Heritage Festival in Port Arthur. They show up with the food. This time I enjoyed a flavorful bowl of jambalaya while the music played.
Southeast Texas Arts Council hosted the fete at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center and I chatted with several Louisiana folk who came to pass a good time Saturday. Most people were there for the music, but we also focused on the food.
Jerry Latiolais of the Knights of Columbus said the group has been with Cajun Fest from the beginning and proceeds from their boudain balls and other fare supports community projects such as donations to the Fetters Center and ultra sound machines for the Hope Center. Those knights can cook, cher.
I made a new buddy this year, Pincher. He was a big conversational fella, in a crawfish suit. He handed out big red buttons so attendees could say they got “pinched” at the festival. Who couldn’t love Pincher? I asked if he had a quote for me.
“Watch your tail. And stop running over my house with your lawnmower,” Pincher said, waving a claw for emphasis.
Gloria Roy of Cajun Sounds Internet Radio can be credited for creating awareness and excitement of this festival. She’s always busy.
I also met Jan Shavers, who proudly calls herself “the mother.” Her son is Joshua Rodrigues, also know as Big Doobie of Big Doobie’s Boudain & Cracklins. In addition to big, juicy cracklins made on site, their menu included “link on da bun.” Mom admits, the cracklins are “addictive.” Hope I don’t have to wait a whole year for my next bag full.
Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie whose Cajun roots come from her grandma, who hailed from Breaux Bridge, La. Reach her at darraghdoiron@icloud.com