Items created by residents at Angel Works will be available for purchase.

TASTE of Shreveport-Bossier benefits Holy Angels

For over 40 years, Holy Angels Residential Facility has been putting on one of the area’s largest smorgasbords, and it’s back on Nov. 6 when TASTE of Shreveport-Bossier opens at the Shreveport Convention Center. Executive Director Laurie Boswell and Events Coordinator Kelsey Smith say the evening is the culmination of a year of preparation by residents and sponsors to raise money for the facility’s programs and initiatives. Holy Angels serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to assist them in leading more independent, fulfilling lives.

“We are so appreciative of the community’s support for Holy Angels and for the TASTE of Shreveport Bossier,” Boswell said. “This is our 44th year. I love it because we are honoring our legacy of excellence and love. We also honor beautiful, artistic talent; it’s really a mixture of art, music, food and drink. It is drawing on the talents of our community, whether it’s artistic talent, jewelry design, candle making, and it’s drawing off the best of what each restaurant offers.”

Boswell maintains that people are drawn to the TASTE for the food, fun, and entertainment, and also because they believe it’s a worthy cause.

“People love the TASTE of Shreveport Bossier. Eighty-six to 87 cents of every dollar we spend goes directly to those we serve. All of the funds go right back into those that we serve, everything that we make at the event.”

Boswell said long-term supporters sign up every year for the event, and new ones are jumping on the bandwagon. She said there are too many to mention for fear of forgetting someone. Still, she did mention that Bodacious Barbecue is showing up with their ribs, Eagle Distributing and Glazer’s are supplying the adult beverages. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser provided a grant of fresh shrimp. Event Coordinator Kelsey Smith said Chef Niema from Abby Singer’s Bistro will be on hand to put those shrimp to good use in a live cooking demonstration.

The event features food samples from area eateries.

“We outgrew the Bossier Convention Center, and we’re now at the Shreveport Convention Center,” Boswell said. “Last year we had over 1,200 [guests], and we’re expecting even more this year.”

The musical guests for this year’s event are Rouge Krewe, a Lafayette, La., group. “They were here last year. It’s a big-band sound, and they play an eclectic playlist that everybody, all 1,200 people at TASTE, loved. The dance floor was packed.”

But Boswell says they’ll have some popular competition because one of the most popular features of TASTE is the performance of the Holy Angels Choir. In addition, guests will get to see the winner of the Holy Angels Talent Show competition.

Smith explained, “We had one of our group homes, it’s a group home of all women, who dressed in pink cowgirls’ hats and cute little western outfits, and they’re going to be doing a country western song and dance. It’s very upbeat, very fun. They got together and choreographed a little dance.”

Smith added that another feature of TASTE, which attendees look forward to, is purchasing items created by residents in Angel Works. The residents work all year with local artists Susan Brady and Trisha Donner. They also work with the facility’s needlepoint volunteers, and Boswell said the competition is fierce. “They know that only the best are selected. We are really entrepreneurs, and we’re running a capitalistic model here,” she said, laughing. “I can tell you we don’t honor for participation. This is a competitive group of Angel Artists here.”

For the initiated, the evening would not be complete without Holy Angels’ famous Howdy Homemade Ice Cream. Bowell is quick to tout its praises. “[It’s] gourmet ice cream, and we utilize the very best ingredients like Ghirardelli Chocolate. There’s nothing cheap about it.

Rouge Krewe, a Lafayette band, will provide live entertainment.

“It’s gourmet, and it follows along with Holy Angels’ style of excellence. It’s all fresh. Freshly made.” She guarantees that less is more. “If you get fine ice cream, just a little dish, a little scoop, will satisfy you because it is so fantastic.”

She also suggested not missing the fried catfish prepared by the Shreveport firefighters. Summing up the event, Boswell said, “It’s going to be a big night. We say, everybody come and have a TASTE of the best that Shreveport Bossier has to offer.”

Nov. 6, 2025 | 6 to 10 p.m.

Shreveport Convention Center

Music by Rouge Krewe Performances by the Holy Angels Choir & Talent Show winner 40+ food vendors Complimentary Champagne Bubble Bar, beer & wine Silent auction with pieces from Angel Works and local artists, jewelry, vacation packages & unique gifts

TASTINGS FROM:

· Abby Singer’s Bistro
· Bistro To Go
· Bodacious Bar & Q
· Buffalo Wild Wings
· Champagne Charlie’s Bubble Bar
· Chicken Salad Chick
· Dillas Quesadillas
· Dripp Donuts and Chicken
· Eagle Distributing of Shreveport
· East Ridge Country Club
· El Cabo Verde
· Glazer’s Beer and Beverage
· Holy Angels Culinary
· Howdy Homemade Ice Cream
· Ki’ Mexico
· Lowder Baking Company
· Nothing Bundt Cakes
· On Cloud Wine
· Papa Murphy’s
· Raising Cane’s
· Shreveport Biscuit Company
· Shreveport Fire Fighters Union