Shaking out the Good Stuff: 19th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas Set for Jan. 25

The Gumbo Foundation is putting on its 19th annual Gumbo Cook-Off on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Yambilee Ag Arena in Opelousas, Louisiana.

This year's beneficiary is one-year-old Ezekiel Whipp. Ezekiel was diagnosed shortly after birth with the rare disorder Non-ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH), as well as Epilepsy and Spastic Quadriplegic (SQ) Cerebral Palsy not long after.

He is the son of Kaylee and Logan Whipp of Opelousas, Louisiana, and has two sisters, Annalise and Aliza.

In addition to the Gumbo Cook-Off, the event will feature a motorcycle and Jeep run, a kids' activity area, silent and live auctions, food, drinks, lots of music and dancing, and more.

Although this is a free event to attend, the entry fee to participate in the Cook-Off is $50. And, there are smaller fees for the bike/Jeep run, kids' activities, and some of the other activities.

For a donation, once gumbo samples are turned in for judging, spectators are invited to taste participants' entries and vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded for first place, second place, third place, and, returning this year, People’s Choice. A specially designed Gumbo Cook-Off paddle will be presented to the Grand Champion with the best overall gumbo.

Grounds will open at 8:00 am. The kick-off ceremony is at 10:00 am and the auction begins at 1:30 pm, immediately followed by the winners' ceremony.

Music will continue throughout the day until 6:00 pm.

All proceeds from the 19th annual Gumbo Cook-Off benefit Ezekiel and his family to assist with medical and related expenses. Checks can be made payable to The Gumbo Foundation, P.O. Box 1478, Opelousas, LA 70571.

Visit the Events section on gumbofoundation.org for more information, like rules, registration, and donations, or click on the Sign-Up button on their Facebook page.