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Owner of Orlandeaux's Cross Lake Café to Represent Shreveport-Bossier During Louisiana’s Year of Food
Shreveport-Bossier, LA – Chef Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman, owner of one of the oldest continuously operating Black-owned businesses in the U.S., will proudly represent Shreveport-Bossier in the 2025 Tournament of the Roses parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. As the Louisiana Office of Tourism embarks on celebrating 2025 as the Year of Food, Damien Chapman’s passion for Shreveport-Bossier's culture makes him the perfect member of our community to showcase the unique flavor, style, & soul that visitors crave.
“We had a successful Year of Music at the parade last year with legendary guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Burton,” said Stacy Brown, President & CEO of Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “Aligning with this year’s float theme, Louisiana Saturday Night, Orlandeaux’s Cross Lake Café is a place that truly shows off the flavor, style, & soul of Shreveport-Bossier. Chef Chapeaux not only honors 103-year-old family traditions at his restaurant but also creates a sense of community that embodies what our area is all about. He is an incredible ambassador for Shreveport-Bossier, and visitors leave his café with more than a great meal – they leave with a piece of our story.”
Founded in 1921, the café provided a welcoming space for people to gather and enjoy traditional Southern dishes during a time when the South was still segregated. Orlandeaux’s was initially established as Freeman and Harris Café by Jack Harris and Van B. Freeman, the great, great, great uncles of Damien Chapman, a fifth-generation owner. Each time a new family member took ownership they renamed the restaurant to honor their predecessor. It later became Pete Harris Café, then Brother’s Seafood, and currently Orlandeaux’s Cross Lake Café. Orlandeaux’s has always remained a family-owned business, with the entire family pitching in to ensure the legacy continues and the deep roots of Black history and heritage are preserved.
“Orlandeaux’s Café has always been more than a restaurant; it is a piece of Shreveport-Bossier’s history and a celebration of our culture,” said Chef Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman. “Representing the Shreveport-Bossier community at the 2025 Rose Parade is an honor, and we are proud to share the flavors and stories that have defined us for over a century.”
Orlandeaux’s Cross Lake Café holds a unique place in Shreveport-Bossier’s history, not only for its food but also for its role as a hub for civil rights discussions. Between 1958 and 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. even held meetings at the café. Known as a “political fortress,” the restaurant has long been a center of community and activism.
Besides its rich history with the Shreveport-Bossier area, Orlandeaux’s continues to be known for its authentic, mouthwatering Creole and Southern dishes. One dish in particular has a notorious reputation: the Shreveport-Style Stuffed Shrimp, a large well-seasoned shrimp that is stuffed with crab meat and deep fried, a recipe that dates back through the decades. Once perfectly crispy, visitors traditionally dip their Shreveport-Style Stuffed Shrimp in the classic Creole Tartar sauce. This timeless menu item is one of many favorites that have held strong for generations. Each bite tells a story.
Chef Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman is committed to staying at the heart of the Black community and making sure Orlandeaux’s remains a destination where visitors can experience Shreveport-Bossier’s rich culture and history. In addition to his culinary contributions, Chef Chapeaux is a Southern University Alumni and a member of numerous organizations, such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Beta Sigma Chapter, Knights of Peter er Catholic Fraternal Order, and the 2024-2025 Silver King of the Krewe of Harambee, a role that highlights his dedication to celebrating and uplifting Shreveport-Bossier’s vibrant culture.
The state of Louisiana participates in the Rose Parade every year to celebrate its unique culture and festive spirit on a national stage. Louisiana’s participation has been recognized with awards such as the Wrigley Legacy Award in 2022 and the Showmanship Award in 2024. This year’s float will feature an alligator carrying a Cajun dance hall and pots of boiled seafood on its back. All the participating floats are true works of art with decorations made from flower petals and other all-natural materials.
With approximately 700,000 viewers celebrating in the streets of Pasadena, and over 50 million TV viewers across 170 countries, the Rose Parade serves as a massive platform to highlight Shreveport-Bossier’s unique flavor, style, & soul.
To stream the parade online, visit here: https://tournamentofroses.com/about/where-to-watch/.
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