- April 29, 2024
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The documentary paints a colorful picture of the Cajun and Creole culture (Courtesy photos)
Michael Benedict
The film won a 2016 Telly.
Jordan Kahn
What started out as a simple promotion video for a client in Louisiana turned into an award-winning documentary about the culinary pioneers of the Creole and Cajun traditions, thanks to the efforts of locals Michael Benedict and Jordan Kahn.
Benedict, who is the president of Benedict Advertising and Marketing in Daytona Beach, originally just wanted to tell the stories and tales of "Mr. Tony," the founder of Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cusine. With Mr. Tony no longer around, Benedict thought it was important for the business and the team to preserve their memories while they still could.
"Since we made the film, a lot of Tony's kids have died," Benedict said. "But as we were filming we realized, there was a way bigger story to be told."
The story being that of the culture and food of Southwest Lousiana and all the people responsible for keeping it alive. Benedict teamed up with Ormond Beach resident and owner of Presslaunch Films Jordan Kahn, and over the course of two years, they produced the documentary, "How the Taste of Lousiana Was Born."
"Some of their cultural traditions dates back hundreds of years," Kahn said. "Though the film is about food, this was really a story about people, and why their food means so much to them."
Unexpectedly to both Benedict and Kahn, the film gained nationwide attention and was selected to top film festivals in New York, Florida, and Texas. For them, the biggest moment came when they got chosen for the New York Film Festival in Times Square.
"I'm glad the film is being so well-received," Kahn said," and I hope it's because it's a story that is welcome in your imagination, and that draws you in because it's interesting.
Watch a trailer for the film at howthetasteoflouisianawasborn.com.
