Determination, a love of food, a willingness to invest long hours, and the desire to follow his dreams led Brian Antoine to open his own authentic Cajun restaurant. Antoine’s Flavor of New Orleans won the Minority Business of the Year award from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Thursday, bringing Brian the recognition that has come with creating a successful business.
The Antoines arrived in Valdosta following the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Brian and Donnata were fortunate enough to have employers that could move them to South Georgia, but leaving their flood-ravaged home city was difficult. Realizing that this was his opportunity to create the restaurant of his dreams, Brian spent months researching authentic New Orleans eateries in order to recreate the Bourbon Street-inspired restaurant on North Ashley Street in Downtown Valdosta.
Add authentic creole and Cajun dishes with crawfish, catfish, and crab cakes, with a bit of hot spicy gumbo or jambalya, and a little saucy jazz at night, and you have the recipe for a successful and popular hot spot in Valdosta.
Antoine’s is also hosting the first annual Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball at the City Market Loft, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. today, featuring live music, a buffet dinner, Hurricanes, authentic Mardi Gras masks, and much more. Tickets for the formal event are available at the restaurant.
Brian credits much of the restaurant’s success to how well the community has responded to the Flavor of New Orleans and embraced he and his family. His success has brought him a sense of pride, but the knowledge that the restaurant is considered a great place to eat with great prices and a fun atmosphere is what brings him pleasure.
Congratulations to the Flavor of New Orleans on winning the Minority Business of the Year.
