Gumbo Cookoff Returns to Franklin Street for Mardi Gras 2022

Grab your spoons and your friends and get ready to head to Franklin Street. You are going to be able to get your cajun on, all while helping 18 area local non-profits!

Gumbo is Back on Franklin Street

2020 and 2021 saw the cancellation of so many amazing events and the Annual Gumbo Cookoff on Franklin Street was no exception. It is one event that I truly have missed and am excited to see it return in 2022.

I have once again been asked to be a celebrity guest judge and I am so excited to sample nearly 30 different gumbos while supporting our local non-profit community. It is truly one of my favorite events in the city!

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Franklin Street Events Association

What Is the Gumbo Cookoff?

So what exactly is the gumbo cookoff on Franklin Street? The various businesses, bars, and restaurants along Franklin Street partner up with various nonprofits from our community to serve up delicious and delectable gumbo. Each nonprofit will serve their recipe and many of the businesses will too, making this quite the tasty event. [Keep reading to find a copy of the Gumbo Map!]

Supporting Nonprofits Never Tasted So Good

Each location and each nonprofit has its own recipe that it brings to the cookoff. Some are spicy and some are mild. Some have seafood and crawfish while others are made with pork, chicken, sausage - or some combination of the three. I have even seen a vegan gumbo in years past. You will even find some served over rice and others served without it. One thing is for certain, there will be lots of flavors.

You are also going to find a lot of folks who enjoy celebrating Mardi Gras and just enjoying some yummy gumbo. One of the really cool things about the gumbo cookoff, in my opinion, is the commemorative mugs.

How Much Does It Cost to Sample the Gumbo?

Your $20 ticket to gumbo isn't really a ticket at all. It is actually a commemorative mug that you will use to enjoy your gumbo. The restaurants and nonprofits will ladle their gumbo into your mug and you can try them all! In fact, it is encouraged that you do just that. Bonus: The mugs are really nice quality. I use mine all year long at home!

A word of advice, bring your own spoon and get there early. The event begins at 1 pm and if you want to be sure that you get to try as many of the different gumbos as you can before some of them start to run out, I suggest you get there early. Also where comfortable shows - it is easier to park once and just walk.

BYOS - Bring Your Own Spoon

Now, let's talk about that BYOS - bring your own spoon. The first year they handed out plastic spoons but they realized the tremendous amount of waste that was creating so the BYOS method was adopted. In years past, if you forget to bring your own, you could purchase one for a small price with the proceeds going to the Franklin Street Events Association. Just grab one from the kitchen on your way out of the house or stop and pick one up on the way. [Keep reading to find out how to purchase your mug]

Franklin Street Events Association

How Do I Get a Commemorative Mug of My Own?

The 8th Annual Gumbo Cookoff is happening on Franklin Street on Saturday, February 19, 2022, beginning at 1 pm. The cost of a mug is just $20 and the money from those go back to our area nonprofits. You can purchase your mug in advance here and then pick it up at either Lamasco Bar and Grill or Thyme in the Kitchen.

Not Even Covid Could Stop Mardi Gras 2021: NOLA Residents Decorated Homes & Businesses

Not even Covid could stop the Crescent City from celebrating Mardi Gras in 2021. While the annual celebration certainly looked different in 2021, residents still found a way to celebrate by decking out their homes in all the purple, gold, and green regalia.

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