The 34th World Gumbo Cookoff Championship is almost here

IBERIA PARISH (NEW IBERIA) – As temperatures drop, the need for warm bowls of gumbo increases. This weekend, the 35th annual Gumbo Cookoff World Championship will bring local families to downtown New Iberia.

KATC spoke with one local family who has been participating in the cookout for over a decade. “It’s just something for us to get together and have a good time,” said 14-time competitor Jason McLean.

Among the competitors is McLean’s son Easton, who returns to the Gunmbo Cookoff Junior Championship this year hungry for his first victory. “Last year I didn’t really do much because there were so many people, but this year it’s only four people, so I’m going to do a lot!” Easton said.

Easton’s interest in cooking gumbo stems from family tradition. “His older sister won freshman year,” Jason said, “and now he wants to catch up.”

The family band, known as “The Big D,” was named after a family member who ran for office in New Iberia but died of cancer. “We started this in 2010 to keep the spirit of our family alive,” Jason said.

With aspirations of winning both junior and adult titles, Easton and Jason are looking forward to the weekend’s events. “We all like to cook; we are from south louisiana!” Jason added.

MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

The following streets will be closed for Gumbo Cookoff:
Iberia Street (main to Fulton)
Closed: Friday 7:00 – Sunday 19:00

Iberia Street (from Saint Peter to Menu)
Closed: Friday, 7:00 a.m. – Sunday, 7:00 p.m

Main Street (Julia to French)
Friday, 7:00 a.m. – Sunday, 7:00 p.m

Loading area on the main street
Closed: Friday, 7:00 a.m. – Sunday, 7:00 p.m

Parking on the main street in front of the Teche warehouse/pavilion
Closed: Friday, 7:00 a.m. – Sunday, 7:00 p.m

Fulton Street (Iberia to Swain)
Closed: Thursday 7:00 p.m. – Sunday 7:00 p.m

Burke Street
Closed: Thursday 7:00 p.m. – Sunday 7:00 p.m

Bridge Street/Duperier Street between Front Street and the bridge
Closed: Friday, 7:00-23:30; Sunday, 5:00-19:00