20th Annual Acadia Parish Gumbo Cookoff Brings Record Crowds, Community Spirit, and Award-Winning Gumbo
This past weekend, downtown Crowley was filled with the aroma of rich, savory gumbo and the sounds of Horace Trahan and Ossun Express as over 400 attendees gathered for the 20th Annual Acadia Parish Chamber Gumbo Cookoff. Organized by the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, the event brought together 22 teams who served up 24 unique gumbos, stirring up both competition and community pride.
With Shop Rite/Tobacco Plus/Church Point Wholesale as the Title Sponsor and a generous roster of Gold Sponsors like Southwind, Encore, The Acadian, Landmark, Jaguar Energy Services, SLEMCO, Waste Connections, and Mitch Hollier State Farm, the cookoff’s 20th year was one to remember. First National Bank, NextEra Energy, Broussard Poche, Bank of Commerce, Dugas Soileau & Breaux, and First South Farm Credit pitched in as Silver Sponsors, underscoring the deep-rooted support from local businesses for this event.
President and CEO Elizabeth Miller captured the spirit of the day, saying, “On behalf of the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce, we want to extend our deepest thanks to you for being a part of the 20th Annual Gumbo Cook Off! Thanks to your dedication, spirit, and support, we had an incredible event filled with community pride, friendly competition, and, of course, fantastic gumbo. Whether you participated as a cookoff team, a sponsor, or a valued guest, your contribution made this milestone year extra special.”
The new downtown location at the Southeast corner of Court Circle proved to be a beautiful backdrop for the festivities, with special thanks to the City of Crowley, Crowley Fire Department, Crowley Police Department, and Acadia Parish Police Jury for their invaluable help with the grounds, safety, and setup of this space.
This year’s event introduced a new People’s Choice format, where attendees cast their votes, with proceeds benefiting the Outstanding Young Citizen scholarship fund. This feature alone raised funds to expand the Chamber’s annual scholarships, adding extra meaning to each bowl of gumbo served.
“We’re thrilled by the turnout, the energy, and the overwhelming community support,” Miller continued. “With your help, we continue to make this event a staple in Acadia Parish, fostering both camaraderie and tradition.”
As families, friends, and visitors savored every bite, it was clear that this year’s cookoff wasn’t just about competition – it was a celebration of Acadia Parish’s tight-knit community, local traditions, and, above all, a love for great food and good company.
2024 Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce Gumbo Cook-Off Winners
Category: Seafood/Jar
1st Place: Supreme Rice
2nd Place: Crowley Fire Department
3rd Place: Musson Patout Ford
Category: Seafood/Homemade
1st Place: Jaguar Energy Services
2nd Place: Southern Tire & Appliance
3rd Place: Cadien Toujours
Category: Non-Seafood/Homemade
1st Place: Simplot
2nd Place: Landmark
3rd Place: Jaguar Energy Services
Category: Non-Seafood/Jar
1st Place: The Bank of Crowley
2nd Place: Scott Watkins State Farm
3rd Place: Mitch Hollier State Farm
People’s Choice: Jaguar Energy Services
Best Decorated Booth: Mitch Hollier State Farm
