Living in a place rich in traditions like Acadiana doesn’t mean everything stays the same. Quite the opposite. Here, tradition is something that creative and business people continually nourish and grow. Some literally, like Brian Gotreaux.

Brian and his family developed Gotreaux Family Farms, growing traditional food – from veggies to tilapia – in a way that’s both traditional and modern. A few generations ago Brian’s approach to agriculture on his property in Scott was simply called “farming.” Today, it’s called producing nutrient dense food that’s organic and local. 

Collin Cormier takes an all new Acadiana approach to an established American institution: soft drinks. While Coke and Pepsi are taking hits for their part in contributing to the nation’s obesity, Collin and his partner launched Swamp Pop, an all-natural alternative soft drink with local Acadiana flavors that are now finding fans across the country. 

George Graham is founder and principal of The Graham Group, a marketing company and ad agency with branches in Lafayette, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. For most people, running three offices would be enough work for an average day. But George is also Acadiana’s most visible food blogger, the closest thing to being a chef without actually being a chef, and among other notable accomplishments, represented Louisiana in a nationwide TV search for the creator of the country’s best burger.