Cooking with international flair

The Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs and the Louisiana State museum are hosting a night of international tastes with their 11th annual International Cooking Competition and Tasting Fair. “It’s different from most culinary events in the city because the contestants aren’t chefs,” says Monika Olivier, president of the BRCWA. “These are just people who have come to Baton Rouge from other countries and are just really good cooks.” The competitors’ food—which guests will also have an opportunity to sample—often can’t be found on menus, and are extremely authentic. Seventeen countries are represented in this year’s competition, and entertainment will include traditional Chinese and Indian dances. Local restaurants, from Arzi’s to Thai Pepper, will also provide catering, although their work won’t be part of the judged competition. It all goes down at this Sunday at the Louisiana State Museum at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. Visit brcwa.org for even more information. (Photo courtesy BRCWA)