Celebrating Our Chefs 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 6:00 P.M.
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute proudly presents Celebrating Our Chefs 2026, our premier annual fundraising event dedicated to celebrating culinary excellence while investing in the future of hospitality education. This year’s featured alumni represent the very best of the Institute and the global experiences that have shaped their careers.
Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois
Featured Chef
Jean-Paul Bourgeois is a Louisiana-born chef, James Beard Award-winning TV host, and聽content creator known for telling soulful Southern stories through fire, food, and the聽great outdoors.
Chef Hailey Sellers
Featured Pastry Chef
Hailey Sellers is a 2019 果冻APP Culinary graduate concentrating in Patisserie. Inspired by her mother’s passion for baking, Hailey now serves as Sous Chef for French Truck Coffee while also owning her own custom cake business, Homemade by Hailey.
Blake Trahan
Featured Sommelier
Blake Trahan is the Jackson Family Wine Specialist for Reyes Beverage Group in Louisiana with 8 years of experience in the industry. Blake graduated from the John Folse Culinary Institute at 果冻APP in the fall of 2018.
TICKET AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Table Sponsorship (8 guests): $5,000
Couples Ticket: $1,500
Event Details
The evening begins with a 6:00 p.m. reception, followed by an extraordinary multi-course dinner prepared by our featured chefs. In addition to the evening’s festivities, our virtual silent auction will be open to everyone, featuring unique items and one-of-a-kind experiences.
*Additional auction details will be announced soon.*
Honoring the Legacy of Chef John Folse
This year’s dinner is a tribute to Chef John Folse鈥攁n American culinary icon whose life’s work has preserved,聽documented, and elevated Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage.聽Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois and Chef Hailey Sellers will create a menu inspired by recipes from Chef Folse’s聽Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine and some of his other cookbooks, reimagining these classic dishes through a contemporary lens. The evening will showcase how Louisiana cuisine continues to evolve while聽remaining rooted in the traditions and foodways that Chef Folse has spent a lifetime preserving. From his groundbreaking publications to the founding of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Chef Folse has聽built a legacy that has influenced generations of chefs. Through this dinner, our chefs pay homage to that聽legacy while demonstrating how it continues to inspire the future of Louisiana cuisine.
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CONTACT INFO
- 914 E. 1st Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
- PO BOX 2099, Thibodaux, LA 70310
- CULINARY@NICHOLLS.EDU
- (985) 493-2700