Erin McCarty

The 2nd Annual Gumbo Gladiators competition is today at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

Last year's event was a huge success. More than 25 teams are entered for this tear as some of the best gumbo cooks in the region square off for the $500 prize.

The contest is divided into two categories: seafood and non-seafood. The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 people to Festival Plaza to taste the gumbo varieties. 

I am thrilled to be asked back as a judge this year. Last year, former Governor Buddy Roemer, Randal Reeder from the ‘Killin and Grillin’ TV show, Gerald Savoie, the owner of  “Savoie’s The Catering Place” in Shreveport and Orlando Chapman, owner of Brother’s Seafood, joined me at the judges table. 

The Volunteers for Youth Justice want you to come out today from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for the Gumbo Gladiator competition.

Good luck  to all the teams and a big thanks to all of the folks at Volunteers for Youth Justice who organized the event.