3 / 60
ROUSES.COM
1
FAMILY LETTER
From Around the Corner
& Around the World
While we support and sell more local than anyone on the Gulf Coast, we also bring in more
foodstuff from around the world. When you want to add a global twist to your cooking,
look no further than Rouses — we keep our shelves stocked with essential international
ingredients, from oils and vinegars to sauces, spices and herbs.
Buying the best of the Gulf Coast and bringing the best to the Gulf Coast has always been
a tenet of our business. My grandfather, our founder, used to love to meet with our growers
in Chile to see our winter grapes, stone fruit, blueberries and Haas avocados before they
were harvested. My dad takes a few research and buying trips a year. He came back from
Italy in October with Parma hams, olive oil, huge wheels of Parmesan cheese, and recipes
for everything he ate.
When I travel, or meet international visitors on the Gulf Coast, I’m always struck by how
similar people are when it comes to food, no matter what country they’re from. Everyone
seems to love French fries with their sandwiches — and in some countries, on their
sandwiches. And while Café du Monde is a bucket list item for anyone who visits New
Orleans, beignets and donuts and fritters are made and eaten all over the world, especially
during Mardi Gras.
Speaking of Mardi Gras ...
January 6
th
, King’s Day, is the
official start of Carnival season.
(They may celebrate Mardi
Gras in other countries, but I’d
argue that no one does Mardi
Gras as well as we do here on
the Gulf Coast.) I have a sweet
tooth and can’t resist a piece
of Rouses king cake. We bake
more than 350,000 of them
each season. You can smell
the gourmet cinnamon dough
baking throughout our stores
— it’s one of my favorite scents,
right up there with bacon.
Rouses is local first, but
we’re always looking to other
countries for great ingredients
to add to our already great Gulf
Coast food. And with so many
international visitors here for
Mardi Gras, now’s our chance
to share what we grow, catch and
cook with the rest of the world.
Donny Rouse
3
rd
Generation
On the Cover
Boeuf Gras on page 8.
cover photo by
Romney Caruso
• • •
PURPLE | GREEN | GOLD
PURPLE
I like to cook with beer (and drink beer) when
I’m doing meat or poultry. I have a freezer
full of deer. Abita’s Purple Haze adds a sweet
flavor to venison roast or stew. It’s also makes
great beer-can chicken and duck. We sell
parade-friendly (and chicken friendly) cans of
Purple Haze by the case.
GREEN
I love seeing all of those Rouses green bags
filled with beads along the parade routes.
Throw me something, Mister.
GOLD
My dad always says, it’s not what’s in our
stores, rather who is in our stores, that makes
Rouses special. Providing job opportunities
to people with disabilities has always been
our way. In November, we were recognized
as Employer of the Year at the Governor’s
Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities
(GOLD) Awards ceremony in Baton Rouge.
We’re proud of that honor.
Donny Rouse — photo by
Juliana Pennison