The Velvet Pig, Lake Charles

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? The Velvet Pig is currently the only establishment of its kind. We are the only food service business in our area that uses locally sourced, humanly raised meats, eggs and produce for our menu offerings. We focus on gluten free and vegan options as well and changing our menus with the seasons. The Velvet Pig is the only place to find cooking classes of the sort we offer. Every class includes classic cooking techniques, education about ethical food purchasing, and nutritional benefits of the foods featured in our cooking classes. We offer a wide range of menu selections featuring Thai, French, Cajun and Creole recipes. All of our classes are small and hands on and include three dishes which are prepared from start to finish by the students and are enjoyed as a three-course meal at the end of the class. We currently offer offer 7 different recipe sets and are working on more in the future.

What was the inspiration to start or run this business? I started The Velvet Pig to share what I have learned about the food industry with my clients and community. I believe that cooking is art that includes traditions, culture and necessary skills that should be nurtured and passed down. I want to do what I can to support small organic farming and humanly raised animals, The Velvet Pig and my classes allow me a platform to do just that.

What do you love most about your job? Its hard to say what I love most about my job, but if I have to pick, I would say what I love most is getting to do something that I truly believe in everyday.