Cajun Culture

No one is a stranger, everyone is a friend, and every day is an opportunity to celebrate life. So “Viens voir ici!” as there’s more than enough room around every table or crawfish pot.

In Lafayette, a cultural gem distinct from even nearby New Orleans, the essence of Cajun life flourishes. Here, the Cajun and Creole cuisines intertwine, evident even in the nuanced flavors of gumbo.

The beautiful and rich Cajun community is known for having a vibrant “joie de vivre,” (joy of life), celebrating a balance between working hard and playing hard. In this area you can find many festivals honoring regional heritage, cuisine, and arts. 

Rooted in history, Cajun pride echoes the journey of their ancestors. Originally from Acadia, the maritime provinces of Canada, those French settlers were unceremoniously uprooted from their homes and sent down the Mississippi River in boats in the 19th century for refusing to pledge allegiance to the British king. Many eventually amassed and settled in South Louisiana. Given this new tenuous environment, it is remarkable how far the Cajuns have journeyed, making an indelible impact on American history, sharing their tenacity to flourish in everything from their music to their cuisine, which is fast gaining popularity everywhere. Generations of families still live on the same lands their ancestors did, and wouldn’t dream of moving elsewhere; where else would they find a place so rich in their own history?

As in every family-centric society, life revolves around the dinner table; it’s not uncommon to have multiple generations gather for a weekly Sunday dinner together. And a large part of those meals has and continues to be prepared using the authentic flavors and products distributed by the Savoie’s Foods. From roux, rice dressing and Andouille sausage. Savoie’s® food products are used throughout Cajun homes to bring authentic, time-honored recipes and mealtime traditions to life.