Du Jour: Scott Callais, Juban’s general manager and founding member, Baton Rouge Epicurean Society

Restaurant industry veteran Scott Callais and a handful of local colleagues came to an important conclusion in 2006: Baton Rouge needed a nonprofit that would promote its culinary accomplishments and help the restaurant industry give back to the community. Callais, then general manager of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, along with Justin McDonald of Mansur’s, Kevin Kimball of the Camelot Club, wine distributor Jason Johnson and local wine experts Dori Murvin and Jimmy Ward helped create and found the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society. The organization celebrates its fifth anniversary this year with the annual event, Fete Rouge, where Chef John Folse will receive a lifetime achievement award.

Callais says it’s been satisfying to see the Epicurean Society advance in Baton Rouge. The group of core board members has expanded to more than 30 industry professionals and the nonprofit has donated more than $120,000 to causes like Smart Bodies, the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, Jr. Achievement and others. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s meant a tremendous amount to us and keeps on getting bigger,” says Callais.

The organization plans to continue promoting Baton Rouge’s indigenous culinary talent and their accomplishments. Past lifetime achievement awards have gone to Gino’s founder Grace “Mama” Marino, TJ Moran, wine distributor Frank Bologna and the recently deceased Chef Charles Brandt. Callais says the group hopes to create future programs that can foster the talents of young people who think they want to go into culinary careers.

Callais is general manager of Juban’s Restaurant. After more than 30 years in the industry, he says he’s watched the competition for local patrons become ferocious. “Today, there are lots of chain restaurants in Baton Rouge and only a handful of family run independents larger restaurants,” he says. “Sometimes you’ve got one shot a customer and it’s got to be good.”