Foodies of Lafayette is a local Foodies group founded by Heidi McDonald that supports local restaurants while cultivating a positive experience for its members. A Facebook page where local restaurants can post daily and weekly specials, members post queries about eating establishments, where to source ingredients and share recipes or photos of their kitchen creations. The page is not a food critique page and does not allow negativity or bad reviews—it’s a positive place.
Her
experience at Fuji Sushi sparked Heidi’s vision to create Foodies of Lafayette. She identified the pure passion that Fuji brings to the table and found it troubling that few people knew about them. Their food and service were second to none, but like many restaurants, they had little or no budget for advertising. Heidi started Foodies of Lafayette in December 2019, thus creating an accessible place for establishments to get the word out about their restaurants and Foodies to get the information they're looking for without advertising, politics, drama or anything else complicating it. Her vision worked in a big way. Fuji Sushi and others now have a forum to post daily and weekly specials, new menu items, and photos. Heidi thought a few of her friends would join and is mind-blown by all the response the page now generates. The page currently has ~46,000 members and is growing at a rate of 500 per week.
Jason Stoner joined the group in January 2020 and was appointed moderator shortly after. His contributions to the page have been significant. Jason & Stephen’s Sunday Dinners are over the top and they currently hosts different Foodies of Lafayette members once a month—they never repeat a Sunday Dinner. Much planning and passion from the atmosphere, playlist, table, and food prove their love for entertaining guests through a fabulous dining experience. Jason assists with the day-to-day operations of the page and planning Foodies of Lafayette events.
Fast forward to 2023, Heidi and Jason have created a logo and a brand for Foodies of Lafayette—expanding into many avenues, including the Foodies Of Lafayette Annual Culinary Excellence Award.
Foodies of Lafayette has chosen a panel of seven members that will be selecting the 2024 winner, to be presented next year around the same time. The panel members will be refreshed each year with current members nominating their pick for succession year after year. Special thanks to this years committee members,
Timmy Credeur,
Katy Richard ,
Jobe Gwin ,
Josepha Morgan , and
Kim Vo .
The Inaugural Award was chosen solely by Heidi to stand as inspiration for future nominees and as a representation of what
#foodiesdoitbetter really means. It was presented to Fuji Sushi in a surprise ceremony on June 4, 2023. Fuji’s quality, service, presentation, and attention to detail are beyond fantastic. Ginger and Tik pull off amazing every single day. The front of the house is handled primarily by Ginger, while the Sushi Chef is Tik. Ginger believes and offers a traditional feel to service—she always remembers customers and what they like to drink. She provides warm towels before and after dinner and complimentary Miso soup and oranges for an after-dinner treat. She’s friendly and inviting, as if you have stepped into her home, and often speaks about family recipes she’s pulled forward to serve. Tik is an amazing Sushi Chef—her creations are fantastic, and she has a brilliant eye for detail. Her plating is top-notch and stunning. Ginger and Tik bring a passion that shows through the entire Fuji Sushi dining experience.
Drumroll Please...
The 2023 Foodies of Lafayette Culinary Excellence Award Winner is...
1 comment
My heartiest Congratulations 🍾 you guys smashed it! 🙏 Much success in the future. Can’t wait to view all the continued updated. Over the top friend Jason, over the top! 🍱