LRA Cenla Chapter presents "Taste of Mardi Gras"

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Cenla Chapter’s annual Carnival party, “Taste of Mardi Gras,” will be held Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, 707 Main Street, 7-9 p.m. (Special VIP entry is at 6 p.m.)

As Central Louisiana’s most well-known Mardi Gras event, it will feature “tastes” of the most delicious restaurants in the area, a silent auction of more than 50 packages and entertainment by the band, Stormy, which will perform 9 p.m.- midnight. A cash bar will be available all evening.

“The LRA Cenla Chapter is excited to host, once again, the best Mardi Gras party in town,” said LRA Cenla Chapter President Johnny Scalisi, managing partner of Texas Roadhouse in Alexandria. “For 17 years, we have been providing a fun and safe option for family members of all ages to celebrate Carnival.”

At last year’s event, more than 2,800 revelers were in attendance. This year, enjoy tasty creations from more than 25 restaurants, including Atwood’s Bakery, Backwoods Catering, Mi Tierra Restaurante and Tunk’s Cypress Inn.

A portion of the proceeds from “Taste of Mardi Gras” benefits the LRA Cenla Chapter’s annual LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) goal. The LRAEF, in turn, will use monies raised to further promote the restaurant industry as a career choice through its ProStart^® program, enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities and provide scholarships to those students studying the culinary arts. The Children’s Miracle Network will also receive a portion of the proceeds.

The LRA Cenla Chapter would like to thank its generous sponsors for this year’s event: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Coca-Cola, Progressive Waste, Southwest Beverage Company and Venture Marketing.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at $20 for adults and $10 for children (10 years and younger). They can be purchased at the following locations in Alexandria:

·         Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 707 Second Street

·         Atwood’s Bakery, 1125 MacArthur Drive

·         Critic’s Choice, 415 Murray Street and 5208 Rue Verdun

At the door the night of the event, tickets increase to $25 for adults and $15 for children.

Reserved VIP Tables are also available in advance for $400, which includes reserved seating for eight and early admittance at 6 p.m. and can be purchased at the Alexandria/Pineville Area CVB. Call (318) 442-9546 or e-mail inquire@apacvb.org. For forms to reserve your table(s), be a sponsor and/or be a vendor, contact LRA Chapter Member Services Coordinator Angela Chisholm at achisholm@lra.org or (318) 366-1326.

For other Alexandria Mardi Gras events, visit www.alexmardigras.com.