It wasn’t easy – but we’ve chosen the top ten finalists in the LRAEF ProStart® Program Louisiana contest! We asked the students to create an original recipe featuring one or more Camellia Brand products – Red Beans, Lady Cream Peas, Black Beans and Crowder Peas – and got a lot of ideas for delicious dishes.

The ProStart Program  was developed by The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation to bring students and professionals together to create future leaders in the restaurant and food service industries. The partnership of Camellia beans and the young chef’s’ creativity was a perfect fit -“So many of us grew up eating Camellia Brand beans,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “This is a great way for the students to not only pay homage to such a long-standing Louisiana staple, but also to give them an opportunity to show their skills and ingenuity in creating a new dish.”

The following recipes will be part of the final judging:

Donaldsonville  High School

Red Bean and Rice Boudin Balls

Dutchtown High School

New Orleans-Style Stuffed Peppers

Hammond  High Magnet School  

Cherry Pecan Black Bean Brownies

 Pearl River High School  

Blapple Pie

Lakeshore High School

Baked Red Bean Pasta With Corn Bread Crumble

 Satellite Center A

Strawberry And Lemon White Bean Bundt Cake

Live Oak High School

Black Bean Seafood Enchiladas

                  Sulphur High School                      

New Orleans Red Beans And Andouille Sausage Pizza

  Washington Career and Technical Education Center

Tasso’d up Lady Cream Peas

 West Feliciana High School

Tomato And Lady Cream Pea Panade