After attending a Blind Pig charity dinner in Asheville, North Carolina, the Culberts realized that in a sea of extraordinarily talented chefs, there was a lack of collaboration between restaurants in Lafayette. The chefs featured at Blind Pig weren't coworkers, but co-creators, joining forces to create an experience that benefits their local and culinary communities through gastronomical artistic innovation. The inspiration was infectious, and Runaway Dish was formed.
Each feast not only provides a much-needed creative outlet for chefs and diners alike, but helps support small, often overlooked non-profits at the same time. After covering the costs for food, equipment rentals and flatware, proceeds are donated to a local charity where a little bit can go a long way.
"Runaway has definitely given us a chance to meet a lot of people who are working towards the same goals. Reviving downtown, and building part of a community supporting Lafayette." - Denny Culbert
The fifth installment of Runaway Dish, Haut Terroir, will celebrate the Day of the Acadians. The dinner concept will center on foraging and feature dishes created from plants and animals indigenous to Louisiana. Featured chefs Jeremy Connor of Village Café and Ashley Roussel of Social Southern Table & Bar will give guests a taste of what life was like for the first Louisiana settlers. Benefits will proceed Center for Louisiana Studies who are currently raising funds to restore the Roy House, one of the oldest historic buildings on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's campus, for thier new office building.
