How Many of America's Best Chefs Are Working in Lafayette, La.?

Louisiana's cooking is top-notch. A lot of other parts of the country try to emulate just what it is we do, and over they decide they can reduce Cajun and Creole cooking to just how much cayenne they can add to a dish to make it feel like Louisiana.

It's annoying, right?

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It is also just really unfortunate that, when it comes to Louisiana cooking, most people outside of Louisiana think New Orleans is THE place to go. The fact of the matter is that you can find a lot of great Southern and Cajun cooking outside of the Big Easy.

And, most of it is a lot better.

According to the website Best Chef's America, Lafayette is home to more than a dozen of the best chefs in the country, and most of them are still active in our local cuisine scene. If that doesn't say a lot about the cooking of Acadiana, nothing will.

Best Chefs America catalogs just under 5,000 chefs throughout the country. Louisiana is No. 10 on the list of most "Best Chefs" per capita, according to LouisianaBets.com, with 0.000023.

So, which of the country's Best Chefs live and work in Lafayette?

Nash Becerra - Nash's Restaurant
Brian Blanchard - Imonelli Restaurant
Jeremy Conner - Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant
Collin Cormier - Pop's Poboys
Justin Girouard - The French Press
Holly Goetting - Charley G's
Mazen Hijazi - Mazen Grill
Paul Le
Heath Lemoine - Zea Rotisserie and Grill
Ernest Prejean
Robert Sandberg
Michael Yen

The site also lists Manny Augello, former owner of Bread & Circus before it closed.

But what makes these chefs the best and their restaurants beloved?

For some, it's a nod to the classics, like this fan of Imonelli Restaurant.

"This is one of my favorite restaurants," one review read. "From service to food, it is an incredible experience. Not many places serve sorbet to cleanse the pallet, just another touch for those who know and appreciate great food!"

For others, like fans of Pop's Poboys, it's the unique flair.

"Excellent & friendly service, delicious food, & creative cocktails," a fan wrote. "I especially like trying the weekly po'boy specials and the seasonal cocktails. For example, yesterday, I ordered the "Curry Fisher" po'boy (curried catfish) and the seasonal Bourbon-maple-chai cocktail, and they were both outstanding!!"

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With so many options in Lafayette, it's always the best food and the best atmosphere that keeps the crowds coming. But while you might get away without the best atmosphere, you can't get away without the best food.

But which local chefs do you think should be on the list of Best Chefs in America?