Ever wondered how a simple passion for food can transform an entire community? Join Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner as they reveal the remarkable journey of Foodies of Lafayette from its humble beginnings to a thriving movement with over 102,000 members.

Born from Heidi's desire to spotlight hidden culinary gems like Fuji Sushi—"a hole in the wall with super high quality ingredients"—the group has become Lafayette's premier destination for food lovers seeking their next favorite meal. What makes this community special isn't just its astronomical growth (adding 500 members weekly), but its steadfast commitment to positivity in an online world often dominated by criticism.

The conversation takes us behind the scenes of their expanding initiatives, including the Community Fridge Project, where local restaurants like 60-year staple Lagneaux's donates buffet food to public refrigerators, creating a beautiful collaboration between restaurants, businesses, and volunteers. You'll hear about their Sunday Dinner Guys pop-up experiences, Culinary Excellence Awards, and how they're building bridges between exceptional food establishments and hungry patrons.

"Lafayette, Acadiana as a whole, really is the culinary hub of the universe," Heidi explains, describing the region's food as a gumbo that "pulls in pieces from all over the world, from every culture." This podcast aims to introduce you to the people behind this extraordinary culinary landscape—from restaurant owners to chefs to servers and everyone who makes the magic happen.

Whether you're a Lafayette local or simply fascinated by how food can unite communities, this inaugural episode offers a tantalizing taste of what happens when food lovers organize with purpose and positivity. Subscribe now to meet the personalities and discover the stories behind Acadiana's vibrant food scene!

learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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Ready for a mouthwatering journey through Lafayette's vibrant culinary scene? Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner, the dynamic duo behind Foodies of Lafayette, are serving up something fresh with their inaugural podcast episode.

"What started as a tiny idea for a small group of friends to support local restaurants has evolved into a movement," Heidi explains, with obvious passion in her voice. That evolution has been remarkable – from an online community to organizing Culinary Excellence Awards, Cake Féte, community potlucks, and establishing the Community Fridge project. Their complementary partnership forms the secret sauce of their success: "I bring the chaos, he brings the spreadsheets, somehow we keep it all together."

This podcast represents the next exciting chapter for Foodies of Lafayette, creating a platform to spotlight local culinary talent, from established restaurant owners to hidden gems. As Jason teases, their second episode will feature Al Hebert, a local food expert who knows exactly "where to find gourmet meals at gas stations." The podcast was made possible through partnerships with Ounce of Hope, Logic Refrigeration HVAC, Chris Logan Media, and Sunday Soda Fountain – proving that when a community rallies around celebrating local food culture, amazing things happen. Subscribe now to join this delicious adventure and become part of the movement that's transforming Lafayette's food scene one bite at a time!

learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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Facebook
Instagram
YouTube