Shoot. Eat. Repeat.: Fancy Festival Food, It's Not Just for Jazz Fest Anymore: FIL 2012

LA Seafood House's Chargrilled Oysters at Festival International 2012. Photo by Denny Culbert

After photographing Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers at the Malibu Stage on the first night of Festival International, I crossed Jefferson Street and a woman rushed toward me and pushed a food tray full of boudin into my hands. She was a member of the Lagneaux clan and was giving away the last of the day's boudin from her family's booth. I was thankful to be the first hungry person she encountered. A minute later, my Cajun meat was joined by the official cupcake of Festival International created by Sophi P. Cakes, flavored the same as the infamous Festival Punch. I regret not making a proper photo of my dinner and dessert, but the first night of Festival had left me starving.

As the 2012 official photographer for Festival International de Louisiane I photographed over 30 performances and tried to capture the spirit of Festival as it overtook downtown Lafayette. Between acts, I wandered the streets making photos of the volunteers, locals, foreign guests and artists all enjoying one of the largest and possibly the world's best free music festival. I've never experienced FIL in my four years of living here in the way that I did this year. I worked hard, but I was able to hear more music and soak up more of the friendly atmosphere than ever before. The volunteers and handful of staff who have made it possible for the past 26 years are all amazing.

I quickly learned it was impossible for me to photograph/ eat everything I wanted to.... here's a bit of this year's Festival fare.

A new addition this year to FIL was the LA Craft Biergarten, where local food trucks Bon Repas and Viva La Waffle were parked. Photo by Denny Culbert

The Roscoe (buttermilk fried chicken with sriracha honey topped with blue cheese slaw) from Viva La Waffle. Photo by Denny Culbert

Cochon Lafayette at FIL 2012. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Cochon's pulled pork sandwich.

One of FIL's official visual artists Michelle Fontenot volunteered at the drink tent on Saturday night. Photo by Denny Culbert

Meltdown Pops from New Orleans brought their fresh frozen treats to Lafayette for the weekend. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Meltdown owner Michelle Weaver makes another batch of watermelon pops during FIL 2012. Photo by Denny Culbert.

A shrimp po boy is served up at the Lagneaux's booth across from the Fais Do Do stage. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Lagneaux's Boudin at FIL 2012. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Grateful Dawg's Russ Hiltz served dogs from his cart Saturday night at the Blue Moon. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Grateful Dawg. Photo by Denny Culbert

Saint Street Inn owners Mary Tutwiler and Nathan Stubbs served brunch at the Blue Moon on Sunday morning of Festival. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Fried grit cakes at the Saint Street Inn Festival Brunch. Photo by Denny Culbert.

Ian McGill dishes up his homemade pulled pork barbecue sandwiches with fresh coleslaw and North Carolina style sauce on Sunday of Festival International. McGill and his friends set up camp across from Parc International for the weekend. Photo by Denny Culbert.