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On the Radar: Latest Trends & Updates
Here, you'll find timely updates, industry insights, and exciting announcements about our association and the vibrant restaurant community we serve. Stay informed about upcoming events, important initiatives, and key developments that impact our industry. We’re thrilled to keep you connected and engaged with the latest happenings in the world of hospitality.
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is investing in the future of the hospitality industry by awarding $60,000 in scholarships to its 2026 LRAEF Scholars Class. These scholarships provide vital support to Louisiana students pursuing careers in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Honorees were recognized at Serving the Future: Celebrating…
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Latest News Get ready for one of the Bayou Region’s favorite food events! The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Bayou Chapter will host the 11th Annual Bayou Culinary Showcase on Thursday, April 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium. This lively evening brings together some of the area’s best restaurants for…
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Latest News The LRA Education Foundation presented the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational on March 18-19 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum in nearly 71 Louisiana high schools, with 2,200 juniors and seniors participating. The Invitational consisted of the Zea Rotisserie Culinary Competition on Day…
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Latest News The historic P&J Oyster Company is celebrating 150 years as one of the most influential oyster businesses in Louisiana. Founded in 1876, the company is recognized as the oldest continuously operating oyster dealer in the United States and has played a major role in supplying oysters to restaurants across the region and the…
Latest News On February 20, Tujague’s officially marked its 170th anniversary, honoring nearly two centuries of continuous operation in the heart of the French Quarter. Founded in 1856, the iconic restaurant now enters its 170th year as one of the longest-running dining institutions in the United States, a distinction earned not through reinvention, but through…
Latest News Charlie Goodson never set out to become a restaurant legend-but hospitality found him anyway. What started in 1967 as a bartending job while struggling through engineering courses turned into a lifetime devoted to restaurants, people, and community. As Charlie once put it, “I started going to school less and working more.” That honesty,…
Latest News The Trump Administration has released the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) is proud to see the restaurant industry-and its Kids LiveWell® (KLW) program-recognized as part of the solution. Throughout the development of the Guidelines, the NRA worked closely with leaders at the White House, USDA, and…
Latest News Louisiana is rolling out a new online state and local sales and use tax filing system, now accessible through Parish E-File. Beginning January 1, 2026, businesses may file using a Combined State and Local Sales Tax Return, which will be used for January 2026 sales tax returns due in February 2026. This new…
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) proudly celebrates its 80th Anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of advocacy, education, and leadership on behalf of Louisiana’s vibrant hospitality industry. As the Association looks ahead to the next chapter of service, the LRA announced its 2026 Volunteer Leadership, led by Octavio Mantilla, Co-Founder and Owner of…
Latest News 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast from the National Restaurant Association forecasts top menu trends for next year The National Restaurant Association (NRA) released its highly anticipated 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast, highlighting the trends set to shape America’s menus in the coming year. The report, based on insights from hundreds of culinary professionals…
Latest News LRA Workers’ Comp renewal information has been sent by email and mail to participating members. Designed specifically for Louisiana’s hospitality industry, the program provides dependable coverage, local and responsive claims support, loss prevention services to help reduce workplace incidents, and potential dividend opportunities for eligible members. Members who are not currently enrolled are…
Latest News On December 23, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released public guidance addressing how businesses should handle cash transactions as pennies become increasingly scarce. This long-awaited guidance follows months of advocacy by national business groups, including direct engagement with Treasury officials and a formal letter from industry leadership urging action. The guidance explains…
Latest News For more than 31 years, Taste of Mardi Gras has been a beloved tradition in Central Louisiana. Year after year, this event has brought our community together to celebrate incredible food, drinks, and entertainment. None of this would be possible without the continued support of our restaurant and beverage partners, and we are…