SHREVEPORT, La. — The Shreveport-Bossier area is gaining increased recognition in regional and national food circles, driven by a mix of award-winning chefs, new restaurant concepts and a diverse culinary identity, according to local tourism officials.
Several chefs from the region have recently earned national exposure through television appearances, food festivals and business expansions, contributing to the area’s growing profile as a food destination.
Chef Niema DiGrazia of Abby Singer’s Bistro is featured on the Food Network competition program “Chopped.” Her episode, titled “African Soul,” highlights a fusion of her Sierra Leone heritage with regional influences from north Louisiana. DiGrazia is also scheduled to participate in the “Taste Louisiana” event in Chicago later this year, where she will represent the state alongside other chefs.
Chef Hardette Harris was named creator of the “Best Creole” dish for the second consecutive year at the 2026 Louisiana Food and Wine Festival. Her winning dish, North Louisiana Roots & Smoke, features smoked sausage and rutabaga mash. Harris is expected to participate in the St. Francisville Food and Wine Festival in November and continues to operate her restaurant, Us Up North, which focuses on regional culinary traditions.
Chef Gabriel Balderas has expanded his business with two new restaurant concepts. One, The Brine, is planned adjacent to a 39,000-square-foot pickleball facility at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The second concept, Papalotl, is located in Oaxaca, Mexico. Balderas also operates El Cabo Verde and Zuzul Coastal Cuisine, where he emphasizes sustainable ingredients and globally influenced menus.
Local officials say the combination of chef-driven concepts and cultural diversity is helping position Shreveport-Bossier as a competitive destination in the broader food and hospitality sector.
Visit Shreveport-Bossier, the region’s destination marketing organization, said the culinary sector plays a key role in attracting tourism, meetings and events, contributing to local economic activity.