Shreveport’s KRUE Events Channels Mardi Gras Love with Good Food & Drinks
“You know how kids feel about Christmas? That’s how I feel about Mardi Gras.” Kayleigh Oliver, co-owner of KRUE Events in Shreveport, grew up on the city’s Mardi Gras parade route. She recalls, “Family parked at the house, and we’d all take the five minute walk to the huge celebration.” Nothing much has changed, except the location. Kayleigh and husband Jordan have a front row seat as food and beverage vendors at the parade, and their extended family and friends all join in the festivities, pitching in to help as needed.
The couple’s love for Mardi Gras is channeled through a mobile catering and bartending company that started in 2017 as a joint venture with a chef-friend. The trio recreated intimate pop-up date night experiences for small groups of couples. They continue to offer date night dinners and supper club pop-ups as KRUE Events.
Kayleigh and Jordan’s backgrounds in hospitality and business inspired a business model that keeps them busy most of the year, including Mardi Gras season.
One of their signature Mardi Gras menu items is the Cajun King Cake, which is a savory version of the traditional King Cake dessert and is made with boudin, shrimp and crab and comes in a nine-inch round or a personal size.
On February 26, the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, Kayleigh and Jordan will pack up their foods and beverages along with their two children, extended family and family of friends to sell Gumbo, fried boudin and Down Home brand smoked sausage sandwiches to parade attendees. Utilizing their work as professional mixologists, they are also selling original cocktails and mocktails that are moonshine-inspired such as the margaritas (with alcohol), and Sweet Lucy and Pink Panther mocktails.
For Kayleigh and Jordan, Mardi Gras is about creating memories. Kayleigh says, “We like to gather and spend quality time with family and friends and even strangers.”
If you are in Shreveport on February 26, stop by the corner of Shreveport-Barksdale (by Firestone) at about noon to nightfall, to meet KRUE Events, eat their food and drink a beverage as well as celebrate with them.
For more information about KRUE Events and their services, visit them on Facebook and Instagram. [Photos: KRUE Events]
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Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and a public historian and researcher focusing on Black culinary traditions and foodways.
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