Gumbo Cook Off

Gumbo Cook-Off!

$40 Per Entry covers permits, registration, and fees.

Must provide your own burner, propane, and cook a pot of gumbo large enough for the crowd to sample.

Crowd will vote on their favorite choice by purchasing tickets for $1 each, the winner of the cookoff will receive half of the "pot" of the voter cash in a brand new Gumbo pot and other prizes. 

• THE JENNINGS FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION WILL PROVIDE 8 OZ CUPS, SPOONS, AND NAPKINS TO EACH BOOTH TO SERVE THEIR SAMPLES IN
• YOUR GUMBO MUST BE COOKED START-TO-FINISH THE DAY OF THE EVENT. ALL INGREDIENTS MUST BE IN RAW FORM AT THE START OF THE EVENT BUT MAY BE CHOPPED AND SEASONED THE NIGHT BEFORE. RICE MAY BE COOKED THE DAY BEFORE AND BROUGHT IN, BUT MUST BE WARMED AND READY TO SERVE BY 11AM.
• STORE BOUGHT JAR ROUX IS ALLOWED, HOMEMADE ROUX MUST BE MADE THE DAY OF THE EVENT
• VOTERS WILL VOTE WITH TICKETS THEY PURCHASE AT $1 A PIECE, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A JAR TO COLLECT YOUR TICKETS IN. ALL TICKETS MUST BE TURNED IN BY 2PM. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE THE PARADE AT 2:45.
• FIRST PLACE WINNER WILL RECEIVE HALF OF THE “POT” OF TICKETS/VOTES, A PRIZE BASKET, AND ULTIMATE BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR 2024. 2ND AND 3RD PLACES WILL ALSO RECEIVE A PRIZE BASKET EACH.
• Booth spaces will be 10'X10'. Teams may begin preparing assigned areas on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024 AT 6AM. NO TRUCKS/TRAILERS/VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER 10AM.
• PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THEIR OWN TENTS, TABLES, CHAIRS, PROPANE/BUTANE, BOILERS, POTS, INGREDIENTS, AND ALL OTHER SUPPLIES.
• CHICKEN, SAUSAGE, AND SEAFOOD ARE ALL ALLOWED, HOWEVER NO WILD GAME WILL BE PERMITTED. COOK WHATEVER STYLE GUMBO YOU LIKE, CREOLE, NORTH OF I10, SOUTH OF I10, YOU CAN EVEN COOK A VEGETARIAN GUMBO (IF YOU DARE).
• All teams must have ingredients displayed at 7:00 a.m. OFFICIALS WILL COME BY TO CHECK YOUR INGREDIENTS BEFORE 7:30 AM.
• An announcement will be made to start your roux at 7:30 a.m. COOKING MAY NOT BEGIN BEFORE 7:30 A.M. You will be allowed to start boiling your water at 7:00 am
• Team Captains will be responsible for seeing that each assigned area is kept clean, both during and after the event. Teams are responsible for their own TRASH. No dumping or cleaning of pots IN FOUNDERS PARK.
• ICE CHESTS ARE ALLOWED, REMEMBER THIS IS TAKING PLACE DURING A FAMILY EVENT AND ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED.
• OUTLETS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO COOK RICE, PLEASE CONTACT KLITTLE@CITYOFJENNINGS.COM OR MESSAGE THE JENNINGS FESTIVAL FACEBOOK PAGE TO LET US KNOW YOU NEED AN OUTLET.
• PLEASE HAVE A SIGN WITH YOUR TEAM OR BUSINESS NAME ON IT CLEARLY ATTACHED TO YOUR TENT/TABLE.