SCR 67

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67
BY SENATOR MILLER
  A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To proclaim May 5, 2026, as Chef John Folse Day and to commend and congratulate him
       for his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts and for his role in promoting
       Louisiana's rich cultural heritage throughout the world.
       WHEREAS, in 1946, Chef John Folse was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana,
where he developed an early appreciation for the unique ingredients and traditions of
Louisiana's Cajun and Creole cuisine; and
       WHEREAS, through talent, vision, and dedication, Chef John Folse transformed this
passion into a distinguished career beginning in the 1970s, founding Chef John Folse &
Company and opening Lafitte's Landing Restaurant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana; and
       WHEREAS, during the 1980s, Chef John Folse embarked on a mission to share "a
taste of Louisiana" with the world, introducing Louisiana cuisine to global audiences by
opening promotional and signature restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan (1985); Beijing, China
(1986); Hong Kong (1987); Paris, France (1987); and Moscow (1988), where he established
the first American restaurant on Soviet soil; and in 1989, he became the first non-Italian chef
to create a Vatican State Dinner and was honored with a private audience with Pope John
Paul II; and
       WHEREAS, in the 1990s, Chef John Folse continued expanding his international
culinary presence by opening restaurants in London, England; Bogotá, Colombia; Taipei,
Taiwan; and Seoul, Korea; and
       WHEREAS, also in the 1990s, Chef John Folse made his television debut hosting
the PBS series A Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse & Company, followed by
Cooking with Chef John Folse (1992), a nationally syndicated series of two hundred four,
90-second cooking segments produced by ABC Television; and in 1994, the Chef John Folse
Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, was established,
awarding its first Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts in 1996; and
  Page 1 of 3
SCR NO. 67  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, furthermore in the 1990s, Chef John Folse launched his talk radio show,
Stirrin' It Up: The Best Tasting Show on Talk Radio, in 1996, which aired on AM and FM
stations throughout the southern region; and in 1999, he opened Lafitte's Landing Restaurant
at Bittersweet Plantation in Donaldsonville, offering fine dining and bed-and-breakfast
accommodations; and
       WHEREAS, during the 2000s and beyond, Chef John Folse expanded his culinary
and entrepreneurial endeavors by establishing Stirrin' It Up television segments on
WAFB-TV; opening Bittersweet Plantation Dairy, Petit Marché, and a USDA manufacturing
facility in Donaldsonville; co-founding Restaurant R'evolution in the Royal Sonesta Hotel
in New Orleans' historic French Quarter; supporting the expansion of the Chef John Folse
Culinary Institute; establishing The Distillery on Jones Creek in 2018 at White Oak Estate
& Gardens; and opening Folse Market in 2019 at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans
International Airport; and
       WHEREAS, throughout his remarkable career, Chef John Folse has authored ten
cookbooks, beginning with The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine (1984), created in
conjunction with the World's Fair, and culminating with Can You Dig It (2015), which
received the Benny Award for "Best Cookbook" at the 2015 Premier Print Awards; and
       WHEREAS, on May 5, 2026, Chef John Folse received the 2026 Lafcadio Hearn
Lifetime Achievement Award from Nicholls State University; and
       WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana depends in great measure on the
dedication of individuals, such as Chef John Folse, whose lifelong commitment to the
culinary arts has established him as a pillar of the culinary community and a respected leader
whose legacy continues to inspire Louisiana's future chefs; and
       WHEREAS, it is therefore appropriate to extend a special measure of commendation
to celebrate and recognize Chef John Folse for his distinguished career and lasting
contributions.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
proclaim May 5, 2026, as Chef John Folse Day and commends and congratulates him for his
outstanding contributions to the culinary arts and for his role in promoting Louisiana's rich
cultural heritage throughout the world.
  Page 2 of 3
SCR NO. 67  ENROLLED
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Chef
John Folse.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  Page 3 of 3