The Shreveport Stuffed Shrimp Festival is a presentation of the Eddie E. Hughes Foundation, a Shreveport-based nonprofit organization. The foundation is named in honor of the late Chef Eddie Hughes, owner and proprietor of Eddie’s Restaurant in Shreveport. Hughes opened Eddie’s Restaurant in 1978 at 1956 Hollywood Ave., where it continues to be operated by the Hughes family.

Funds raised by the festival will establish a scholarship for a deserving student from Woodlawn Leadership Academy or Huntington High School in Shreveport to obtain a Certificate of Technical Studies in Culinary Arts from Bossier Parish Community College. As the story of Chef Eddie Hughes illustrates, it is important to equip underprivileged young adults with skills such as those taught in the culinary arts. The foundation would also like to provide skills to young adults that can last a lifetime.