Flip open this month’s copy of National Geographic Traveler, turn to the cover story, “Great Long Weekends,” and you might see mention of a few places you know.

The well-known travel magazine highlights St. Tammany Parish in its roundup of 46 weekend getaways, quick trips that span the country from Maine to California. According to Renee Kientz, communications director for the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission, it’s not the only publication to feature the people and places of St. Tammany.

“July was a good month for the Northshore in terms of publicity,” said Kientz. “In the National Geographic story, we were the only Louisiana destination listed.” Kientz reported on the stories during the commission’s June 30 meeting. In addition, the July issue of AAA Southern Traveler, a story on Southern diners features Mandeville’s Jukebox Diner, as well as a brief nod to the Mandeville Trailhead Community Market.

Closer to home, Louisiana Cookin’ magazine has named Chefs Nealy Crawford-Frentz and Keith Frentz of Covington’s LOLA Restaurant as two of its five “Chefs to Watch.” The pair is in good company, as the other three chefs hail from Galatoire’s, Café Adelaide and Le Meritage, all of New Orleans.

All five chefs will each contribute a course to an awards dinner on Aug. 24 at The Theatre at Harrah’s New Orleans. Frentz will cook up his signature Creole Shrimp and Grits, while Crawford-Frentz will prepare Dark Chocolate Bouchon in house-made caramel to round out the meal. Tickets are $125 per person, and proceeds go to Café Reconcile, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk youth with culinary education and job placement.

The couple opened LOLA in the former train depot off Boston Street almost four years ago, after Hurricane Katrina forced the former Brennan’s chefs to relocate to the Northshore. Both were in their 20s, and kept themselves busy with assignments as personal chefs and selling their wares at the Mandeville Trailhead Community Market.

This is the first time the pair has been recognized for their culinary efforts.

“We are just thrilled,” said Crawford-Frentz. “There are some really great chefs on the Northshore, but people don’t always get to hear about them.”

In other business, the commission’s interim sales director Tanya Leader reported that several sports events are taking place on the Northshore, including the USSSA World Series tournament at the Castine Center this week, a T-Ball tournament July 10-12, and a Gulf Coast Family Reunion showcase. Leader also reported that daytrip group business is picking up, especially with groups from Alabama and Mississippi, as well as Louisiana.

Film Commission Coordinator Loren Legendre also reported that 11 different feature films were scouted in May and June, including “Jonah Hex,” starring John Malkovich and Josh Brolin, which recently wrapped in Abita Springs.

The scheduled nomination and election of officers was postponed until the commission’s next meeting, due to the absence of two of the officers on June 30. In addition, new commissioner Debbie Bresler was sworn in during the meeting. Bresler, a nonprofit fundraising and marketing consultant, replaces longtime commissioner Debbi Smith.