Forklore: 'the greatest restaurant on Earth'

You'll be able to travel the world through food, beer and music at an upcoming dinner event.

Forklore, a unique cultural event that benefits Louisiana Folk Roots, will happen at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Vermilionville.

Food, beer and music come together during each course of the dinner to reflect the culture and music of different regions of the world.

"You get to travel around the world without ever leaving your seat — except to dance," said Todd Mouton, executive director of Louisiana Folk Roots.

Award-winning chef Justin Girouard of The French Press will prepare the evening's courses, which will be paired with different Bayou Teche Brewing beers and sets by musicians Michael Doucet, David Doucet and Mitch Reed of BeauSoleil.

"It's just a really fun thing," Mouton said. "This is a great example of a way you can support local culture by participating in local culture. And that's something we like to do at Louisiana Folk Roots."

Founded in 2000, Louisiana Folk Roots provides experiential, immersive learning opportunities to perpetuate Louisiana's cultural heritage. The proceeds from the Forklore dinner will be used to fund the nonprofit's year-round programming and music camp scholarships, Mouton says.

The dinner is sponsored in part by BBR Creative.

Tickets to the event cost $75 per person or $65 for current members of Friends of Louisiana Folk Roots. Reserved, VIP tables for 10 are also available for $650. Learn more or purchase tickets by visiting lafolkroots.org/forklore.

While the event's set list is a surprise, attendees can expect to experience Acadian, Caribbean and Irish flavors and sounds.

"It's just like going to the greatest restaurant on Earth but it's only open for three hours," Mouton says.

Here's a look at the Forklore menu:

Hors d'oeuvre

- Fresh popped truffle popcorn

- Ragin' Cajuns Genuine Louisiana Ale, Kölsch-style ale crafted with German noble hops and Louisiana rice ­­

- Acadian and Acadian-influenced tunes

First course

- Wild arugula salad with late-harvest Louisiana blackberries, marinated merlitons, local goat cheese and toasted pine nuts

- Knott's Berry Beer, blackberry French farmhouse-style ale aged in sauvignon blanc barrels

- Folk music

Second course

- Coconut fried jumbo shrimp with chili-garlic beurre blanc and citrus slaw

- Quantum Hop, West Coast-style India pale ale created with pilsner and caramel malts and three varieties of hops

- Caribbean and Caribbean-inspired Louisiana tunes

Third course

- Shepherd's pie with lamb accompanied by snap peas and corn pudding

- Memorial Milk Stout with notes of honey, coffee and chocolate

- Traditional Irish music accented by Louisiana reels and jigs

Dessert

- Flourless chocolate torte with red wine coulis and gin mousse

- Bière Joi, Mello Joy Coffee and chocolaty cacao nibs meet chile de árbols from Primo's Peppers in this high-gravity double aged in Jack Daniel's oak barrels

- Cajun and Creole tunes