In Baton Rouge, crawfish season has a way of bringing people together. Long tables, overflowing trays of crawfish, cold drinks, and conversations that last all afternoon are part of the rhythm of spring in South Louisiana. Crawfete captures that spirit each year, turning a beloved tradition into a celebration of food, culture, and community impact.

This year, the event is returning with an exciting change. Crawfete will take place Sunday, March 22 from 2–5 p.m. at Live Oak at Cedar Lodge, introducing guests to a new setting for the popular culinary event. The scenic property along Jefferson Highway offers sprawling outdoor space beneath towering oak trees — an ideal backdrop for an afternoon centered around crawfish, live music, and some of Baton Rouge’s most talented chefs.

Guests can spend the afternoon sampling crawfish from more than a dozen local boilers while also enjoying tastings from over 15 restaurants, caterers, and food vendors from across the capital area. The event blends the casual feel of a traditional Louisiana crawfish boil with the creativity of Baton Rouge’s restaurant scene, allowing attendees to move from table to table discovering everything from perfectly seasoned boiled crawfish to inventive crawfish dishes.

A highlight of Crawfete each year is the friendly culinary competition that brings out some serious bragging rights. Awards will be presented for Best Boiled Crawfish and Best Crawfish Dish, with both guests and celebrity judges helping determine the winners. Two familiar names will be back in the arena hoping to defend their titles: C&M Crawchicks, last year’s champion for best boiled crawfish, and Ingle Eats, which took home the crown for best crawfish dish.

Throughout the afternoon, the Blue Crab Redemption Band will keep the music going while guests enjoy craft beverages and explore the festival grounds. Food Network chef Roshni “Chef Rosh” will also host a live cooking demonstration, sharing her take on preparing Louisiana’s favorite crustacean.

While Crawfete is known for its food and festive atmosphere, the event carries a deeper purpose. The festival is hosted by the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of food to improve lives in the community.

The society’s mission centers on culinary excellence in service of children, supporting programs that address childhood nutrition, health, education, and food security throughout the Greater Baton Rouge area. Through events like Crawfete, the organization brings people together around the table while raising support for initiatives that help ensure local children have access to healthier futures.

Built by some of the region’s leading culinary professionals, the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit made up of chefs, restaurateurs, food suppliers, and wine professionals who share a passion for both food and community. Together, they work to celebrate Baton Rouge’s vibrant culinary culture while directing resources toward programs that nourish children and create opportunities for the next generation.

Crawfete reflects that mission perfectly — combining great food, music, and hospitality with a cause that continues to make a meaningful difference locally.

With a new home at Live Oak at Cedar Lodge, returning culinary champions looking to defend their titles, and dozens of local food talents participating, this year’s Crawfete promises to be one of the season’s most flavorful gatherings.

Guests can learn more and purchase tickets at epicbr.org.