Tyler Thigpen – B.R. reminds scientist and slow food advocate of home

Age: 30
Occupation: Senior Scientist for Chicago Bridge and Iron (CB&I); President, Acadiana Food Circle
Previous residence: Lafayette
Moved here: July

I was offered a senior scientist position with CB&I.

I’m working on a few different things right now. I do a lot of statistical output of data, synthesizing, analyzing and putting data in graphical form. I put together mitigation work plans to offset impacts of Department of Transportation, oil and gas or other companies that could impact the wetlands.

I’m always busy, which I love. Sometimes, though, time management comes into play because you have multiple projects you’re working on. You want to satisfy everyone you’re working with, but you just don’t have enough time. It can also be intimidating. Sometimes they’ll say, “Hey, go run this statistical software,” and I haven’t used it in years. But everybody’s really smart. It’s a big firm, and you have the best of the best in the private sector. So they’ll teach you, and they’re good with people. It’s a good experience.

Yes, I started Acadiana Food Circle with a couple other people in April 2011 in Lafayette. Our mission is to facilitate the connection of local foods producers to restaurants and consumers. We have a pretty big social networking presence. We have had events at the Blue Moon Saloon, and we’re starting a local dinner series with gourmet dinners paired with drinks where everything is local.

The environmental impact is important to me; it lessens the carbon footprint. Your food is coming from local sources, and you’re using fewer resources to get it. It’s more sustainable, and the food is usually done on a smaller level than the mass-produced foods you get at a grocery store. It’s good for the community, economically. It’s just healthier overall, usually. It’s fresh and picked pretty recently.

Yes. I’d like to get involved with that. I don’t know how much help something like Slow Food Baton Rouge would need. They run a pretty good ship. If I can contribute, I’d love to.

I think it’s more unified as far as the Farmers Market is concerned. I think the market is well put together. I’m impressed. The food scene has a lot to offer.

Phillip LaFargue. He works with Baton Rouge Area Chamber and is the co-owner of Valcour Records. I know the two other owners—Lucius Fontenot and Joel Savoy—really well, and they’re amazing people. When I met Phillip, he was everything I’d expected he’d be. I’m looking forward to hanging out with him and his wife and getting to know them better.

I guess The Spanish Moon, Chelsea’s Café and Mud and Water; but it depends on who’s playing.

I have three. For casual and lunch, I really like Magpie Café. I like the rice bowls from Truly Free Bakery. For dinner, I like Restaurant IPO. They all three use local ingredients.

I thought it was a big Southern city with an SEC school. My perception is that it was like Birmingham, Ala., where I grew up, and Tuscaloosa, with a big university. It seems like a decent-sized city with a lot to offer as far as shopping and events. I like it here. It reminds me of home.

I like the amenities of a bigger city.

The traffic of a bigger city. It seems like there’s always construction here.

It has warmth and tradition, but maybe it’s too early to say. It’ll be a fun adventure to figure out the answer to that question.

Do you know someone dynamic who is new to Baton Rouge? Email [email protected] and include “First Impressions” in the subject line.