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LAPLACE — Rising above the challenges of Hurricane Ida has led some St. John the Baptist Parish businesses to lean on one another for support.

With ZoraChristina Café & Catering’s building still out of commission, the local restaurant is joining forces with Belle Terre Country Club. Starting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday, the community can look forward to a spectacular spread of food in a wonderful atmosphere each week at 111 Fairway Drive in LaPlace.

ZoraChristina’s popular lunch items available for dine-in or pick-up this week include zesty wings with fries, berry spinach salad, chicken avocado wraps, blackened shrimp wraps, crab cake & crawfish pasta, old school burgers and grilled fish over mixed vegetables.

Belle Terre Country Club event coordinator Semi Wadhwa and ZoraChristina owner Monique McGee-Duronslet met at the beginning of this year after being introduced by a mutual friend in the small business community.

“The more Monique and I have spoken, the more we have realized we are just alike with our vision and our drive,” Wadhwa said. “We’re committed. We’re helping ourselves, but we’re also helping each other. That’s the message we are sending out into the community, to support local business. You don’t need to go out of town because we have everything here. With the local food talent coming in, it’s great food meets great ambiance.”

While Belle Terre’s golf course and clubhouse are still a few weeks out from opening, interior repairs progressed smoothly after Hurricane Ida. The facility was able to host its first wedding post-Ida on November 13 with the resources to totally customize all of life’s celebrations. Belle Terre is also having a great start to 2022, having been named a Hall of Fame venue through The Knot.

“We never say no to anything. If somebody wants it, we are going to find a way to make it happen,” Wadhwa said.

Belle Terre Country Club is fully open to the public, and the upcoming ZoraChristina lunch dates are no exception.

McGee-Duronslet looks forward to bringing ZoraChristina back to the community through Belle Terre Country Club, offering the food, environment and elegance that people typically search for in larger cities.

“We met and shared our ambitions for partnering together and getting the exposure that local business needs as St. John rebuilds from the storm. If this collaboration is beneficial for both of us, ZoraChristina may be able to station there in the long haul and have a food truck there as well,” McGee-Duronslet said. “Even though some of our businesses don’t know if they are coming back, there are other businesses willing to collaborate to make it work. I’m confident that, moving forward, this will be something epic.”

Wadhwa and McGee-Duronslet have also joined forces as board members of the recently-established Kiwanis Club of Tri Parishes, where they hope to leave a legacy by giving back to local youth.

“I’ve raised my four kids. They are well on their way, and we are blessed,” Wadhwa said. “I think it’s time to start building a legacy and doing things for the community to have even more of an impact.”

To nominate a business for a Shop Local Spotlight, please email brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com.