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  • From Pizza Parlor to Cajun Empire: The Tim Metcalf Story
    2025/07/09

    Tim Metcalf's remarkable journey from the son of an Idaho potato farmer to Lafayette restaurant mogul reads like a Hollywood script, complete with a recent crocodile hunting accident in Africa that left him with a torn quad tendon. Yet this injury hasn't slowed the unstoppable force behind Deano's Pizza, Prejean's, Marcello's, and other beloved local establishments.

    The Metcalf family legacy began in 1971 when Tim's father, a Korean War veteran who discovered pizza while working as a janitor in California, packed up his successful pizza franchises and relocated to Lafayette with his family. Tim, just ten years old at the time, quickly adapted to Louisiana life and began working in the family business by age thirteen. Today, four generations of Metcalfs remain actively involved—a rarity in any industry.

    When Lafayette's economy collapsed during the oil crisis of the 1980s, Tim and his bride took over Dino's operations, introducing groundbreaking Cajun toppings like crawfish étouffée pizza when traditional offerings couldn't sustain the business. "We took it to every festival, any place I could go with guerrilla marketing and put it in someone's hand," Tim recalls of those early innovation days. This creative spirit continues with menu items like the irresistible pizza burger and experimental offerings including a fried chicken sandwich topped with vanilla ice cream.

    Beyond menu innovations, Tim's business philosophy centers on property ownership rather than leasehold improvements—a strategy that's allowed expansion even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, when he purchased Prejean's and repositioned it for locals rather than tourists. His community involvement extends beyond commerce through partnerships with UFC fighter Dustin Poirier's Good Fight Foundation, which provides backpacks filled with school supplies to 1,500 children annually.

    For aspiring restaurateurs, Tim hosts "Business of Bourbon" tastings at Marcello's Wine Shop, sharing wisdom accumulated over decades. His advice is straightforward: "Don't half-ass it. If you're going to do something, leave your soul on the table." It's this unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and community that ensures the Metcalf legacy will continue feeding Lafayette for generations to come.

    Visit any of Tim's restaurants to experience what happens when flavor truly meets community.

    learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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    47 分
  • Flavor Meets Community: The Foodies of Lafayette Story
    2025/07/02

    Ever wondered how a simple passion for food can transform an entire community? Join Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner as they reveal the remarkable journey of Foodies of Lafayette from its humble beginnings to a thriving movement with over 102,000 members.

    Born from Heidi's desire to spotlight hidden culinary gems like Fuji Sushi—"a hole in the wall with super high quality ingredients"—the group has become Lafayette's premier destination for food lovers seeking their next favorite meal. What makes this community special isn't just its astronomical growth (adding 500 members weekly), but its steadfast commitment to positivity in an online world often dominated by criticism.

    The conversation takes us behind the scenes of their expanding initiatives, including the Community Fridge Project, where local restaurants like 60-year staple Lagneaux's donates buffet food to public refrigerators, creating a beautiful collaboration between restaurants, businesses, and volunteers. You'll hear about their Sunday Dinner Guys pop-up experiences, Culinary Excellence Awards, and how they're building bridges between exceptional food establishments and hungry patrons.

    "Lafayette, Acadiana as a whole, really is the culinary hub of the universe," Heidi explains, describing the region's food as a gumbo that "pulls in pieces from all over the world, from every culture." This podcast aims to introduce you to the people behind this extraordinary culinary landscape—from restaurant owners to chefs to servers and everyone who makes the magic happen.

    Whether you're a Lafayette local or simply fascinated by how food can unite communities, this inaugural episode offers a tantalizing taste of what happens when food lovers organize with purpose and positivity. Subscribe now to meet the personalities and discover the stories behind Acadiana's vibrant food scene!

    learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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    22 分
  • Foodies Of Lafayette Podcast: Food, Community, Connection
    2025/06/20

    Ready for a mouthwatering journey through Lafayette's vibrant culinary scene? Heidi McDonald and Jason Stoner, the dynamic duo behind Foodies of Lafayette, are serving up something fresh with their inaugural podcast episode.

    "What started as a tiny idea for a small group of friends to support local restaurants has evolved into a movement," Heidi explains, with obvious passion in her voice. That evolution has been remarkable – from an online community to organizing Culinary Excellence Awards, Cake Féte, community potlucks, and establishing the Community Fridge project. Their complementary partnership forms the secret sauce of their success: "I bring the chaos, he brings the spreadsheets, somehow we keep it all together."

    This podcast represents the next exciting chapter for Foodies of Lafayette, creating a platform to spotlight local culinary talent, from established restaurant owners to hidden gems. As Jason teases, their second episode will feature Al Hebert, a local food expert who knows exactly "where to find gourmet meals at gas stations." The podcast was made possible through partnerships with Ounce of Hope, Logic Refrigeration HVAC, Chris Logan Media, and Sunday Soda Fountain – proving that when a community rallies around celebrating local food culture, amazing things happen. Subscribe now to join this delicious adventure and become part of the movement that's transforming Lafayette's food scene one bite at a time!

    learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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    2 分