“Part dinner party, part performance, and entirely unforgettable.”

Maison Madeleine came into sight, a graceful Creole cottage nestled beside Lake Martin, its wide porch glowing in the last light of day. Our host met us at the gate. “Welcome,” she greeted us. As we followed the lantern-lit path, the aqua-shuttered Creole cottage offered a friendly porch alive with golden light and the faint hums of a fiddle and guitar. The party was warming up.

A soft hum of conversation drifted through the air. We strolled through the lush, verdant gardens, where the scents of dinner in preparation greeted us and the smiles of strangers would soon become the laughter of friends. Whatever awaited inside, it was clear this would be no ordinary dinner.

A Historic Hideaway on Lake Martin

Maison Madeleine isn’t just a venue; it’s a historic home. Built in the 1840s, this restored French-Creole cottage, now on the National Register of Historic Places, sits beneath sprawling oaks beside the still waters of Lake Martin.

The house’s hand-hewn beams and antique furniture whisper of another century, while the setting, within a world-famous bird rookery, adds a soundtrack of herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills.

Here, the landscape becomes part of the meal. The swamp air mingles with the aroma of dinner cooking. Even before the first bite, we were immersed in a uniquely Louisiana sense of place.

What Is Maison Madeleine’s Secret Supper?

“Dinner at Maison Madeleine is part meal, part mystery, and wholly Louisiana.”

Each Secret Supper is an intimate, four-course culinary experience held on the shores of Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Expect a small guest list, no more than 50 diners, a communal table, a live soundtrack of Cajun and Creole music, and seasonal-inspired dishes.

These events sell out quickly, so if your curiosity is piqued, join their email list early. It’s one of those Louisiana experiences that you can’t just drop in; you must plan your visit.

What’s the Secret?

“You don’t just attend a Secret Supper — you uncover it, one course at a time.”

Part of the allure of Maison Madeleine’s Secret Suppers is that guests arrive not quite knowing what awaits them. The menu is a mystery until the first plate appears, crafted around the season’s freshest local finds. The guest chefs and musicians change with each event, adding an element of surprise. Even the setting shifts slightly within the property. With a small, invitation-only guest list, the true secret is discovery itself, that rare thrill of stepping into the unknown and finding it delightful.

The Experience: From Cocktails to Candlelight

“Each supper feels like being let in on a delicious secret.”

We gathered around 5:30 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the front yard. String lights glowed above the veranda, filling the air with floral scents. Conversations flowed easily among friends.

During cocktails, Grammy-nominated and award-winning musicians Yvette Landry and Beau Thomas played the guitar and fiddle in the background as a local artisan demonstrated how to make a triangle, a traditional instrument often used in Cajun music. Then, for one of the highlights of my evening, Beau tutored me in playing the instrument so that I could accompany him in a duet.

Barataria Beauties

“Each oyster holds a whisper of the Gulf, wild, bright, and alive with salt and sun.”

We started with a cocktail of Jean Baptiste rum, and our hors d’oeuvres featured Barataria Beauties from Grand Isle. No trip to Louisiana’s coast is complete without tasting the sea itself, and few bites do it better than Barataria Beauties from Grand Isle. These oysters, grown in the waters of Barataria Bay, glistened like tiny jewels on the half shell. Oystermen farm them sustainably, each one telling the Gulf story, briny and bright, kissed by the rhythm of the tides. We enjoyed them raw on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of Tabasco. Barataria Beauties live up to their name. They’re more than oysters; they’re a reflection of Louisiana’s deep connection to its waters. A taste I won’t soon forget.

“Barataria Beauties aren’t just harvested; the tides of Grand Isle crafted them.”

If you spot Barataria Beauties on a menu, consider it your lucky day. Their flavor dances between briny and buttery, with a clean finish that reflects the waters of Barataria Bay.

Try them raw on the half shell to appreciate their natural sweetness. Pair them with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or for an authentic regional flair, a light Louisiana craft beer. Find them at select Gulf Coast restaurants. If you’re visiting Lafayette, you’ll find them on the menu at Vestal, both raw and roasted.  Or get them straight from the source through the Grand Isle Jewels oyster farms, where sustainability and Cajun pride go hand in hand.

Our second hors d’oeuvre was a bowl of tender shrimp served over creamy grits, a traditional southern dish.

Meet the Chef: Madonna Broussard

“Every plate at Laura’s II carries a taste of family, history, and home.”

On this evening, Madonna Broussard was our chef. Featured on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best Chef: South,” she remains deeply connected to her roots. Her food reflects her story of warmth and hospitality.

Lafayette’s soul-food scene revolves around Madonna Broussard’s kitchen, a third-generation chef and owner of Laura’s II Café. Her grandmother, Laura Williams Broussard, started the original restaurant in 1968, serving generous portions of rice, gravy, and love. Madonna continues this legacy, one stuffed turkey wing at a time. She seasons and stirs with passion, welcoming guests like family.

A Taste of Chef Broussard’s Menu

Around 6:15, we were led to the long table in the cottage’s front room, linen-clad with abundant stemware, softly lit, ready for the night to unfold.

While Chef Broussard isn’t always the chef for the Secret Suppers and the menus change with the season, here’s a taste of what Broussard prepared for us to experience. The menu was filled with Cajun classics. We weren’t just dining; it was a love letter to Louisiana, full of flavor, music, and community.

•  Hors d’oeuvres: Barataria beauties from Grand Isle, Louisiana, and shrimp and grits paired with a Chardonnay from Lagniappe Wines, Swampwater, Columbia Gorge, Oregon.
• First Course: Creole Tomato Salad and Sliced Sweet Onions paired with a Pinot Noir, Illahe, Cute Miette, from the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
• Second Course: Crawfish Étouffée, Louisiana-style steamed rice, and Potato Salad, paired with a Semillon Pinot Noir, Blanco 2022, from Itata, Chile.
• Third Course: Fried Louisiana Catfish with Creole Mustard Sauce paired with a Chenin Blanc, Raphael Monnier, Avis de Tempête No. 13 2023 from Jura, France.
• Dessert: Pecan Caramel Cheesecake with Jean Baptiste Rum Sauce Glaze, paired with a Riesling, Julian Haart, JJ 2024, Mosel, Germany.

Each supper features guest chefs, sometimes James Beard–nominated, and Grammy-caliber musicians like Beau Thomas and Yvette Landry. The flavors are bold, the music heartfelt, the ambiance electric. In between, live musicians fill the air with Cajun and Zydeco rhythms. It’s not just background noise; it’s the heartbeat of the evening. Yvette and Beau continued to play throughout the evening, sharing their stories in a way that we won’t soon forget. Like that of Beau’s journey from picking up the fiddle, learning to play by ear, to going on tour in Australia, all within 15 months.

When the last bite disappears, you realize the “secret” isn’t the location, it’s how every sensory detail comes together to create a moment you can’t replicate.

Plan for other activities in the area.

Why It’s More Than Dinner

“Here, you don’t just taste Louisiana—you hear it, feel it, and live it.”

Beyond the exquisite food, the Secret Supper celebrates community. You’ll meet locals and travelers alike, sharing laughter over a shared table. The musicians are storytellers, the chefs are artists, and together they spin a tale of South Louisiana that lingers long after the plates are cleared.

Every element, from the setting sun to the flicker of candlelight and the sizzle from the outdoor kitchen, feels intentional yet spontaneous. It’s as though Maison Madeleine itself knows how to host a perfect evening.

After supper, we lingered. Stepping out onto the porch beneath the oaks, the music still hummed in my recent memory.

If you’re taking a road trip along the Gulf Coast, you may want to check out these restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Piper’s Pro Planning: How to Book Your Seat

“There are no walk-ins at Maison Madeleine, only the lucky.”

Maison Madeleine’s Secret Suppers run seasonally, usually in spring and fall. Tickets range from $350 to $375 per person, including all food, wine pairings, and live entertainment.

Visit MaisonMadeleine.com/Secret-Suppers to join the invite list or check for upcoming dates. Seats sell out fast, especially when Grammy-nominated musicians headline, so book early.

If you’re traveling from out of state, fly into Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) and stay overnight in Breaux Bridge, the self-proclaimed Crawfish Capital of the World. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to rush back to the city after dessert.

Make It a Weekend

If you’ve booked a local stay, rise early the next morning for a swamp tour or birdwatch on Lake Martin; blue herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills take flight in the mist. Stop by Buck and Johnny’s for a Zydeco breakfast. Then, stroll downtown Breaux Bridge, where antique shops and zydeco cafés line the streets. Grab some beignets and café au lait before hitting the road.

Final Thoughts

Maison Madeleine’s Secret Supper wasn’t an ordinary dinner. It offered a deep dive into Louisiana’s rich culture, cuisine, and character. We arrived expecting a meal but left feeling connected to something greater. Beneath the moss-draped canopy, the outside world felt distant. The dishes were soulful, the tunes lively, and the locals friendly.

When you receive the invitation in your inbox, don’t hesitate – say “Yes.” Once you’ve experienced a Maison Madeleine Secret Supper, the idea of “dining out” takes on a new meaning, something only our guide knew all along. Yet, this was a secret shared only with those lucky enough to attend.

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