18th Annual Got Gumbo Winners

The 18th Annual "Got Gumbo?" Cook-off took place Thursday, March 8th in the Grand Ballroom at the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans. United Way of Southeast Louisiana invited the city’s most talented chefs and first-rate restaurants to put their dishes up against the competition in our annual parade of gumbo. View the photo gallery here.

Our Krewe de Gumbo panel of judges presented awards for Best Traditional Gumbo, Best Exotic Gumbo and Best Seafood Gumbo.

We also gave the power to the people, who voted for the People’s Choice awards of Best Gumbo, Best Dessert and Best Table Decorations.

Proceeds from the event support United Way of Southeast Louisiana's mission to eradicate poverty in our region through our gumbo of services that focus on the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community we serve. That evening, we announced a new partnership with the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation called Hospitality Cares, a crisis grant program offering emergency financial assistance to individuals working in the hospitality industry – one of the region’s largest employment sectors.

Thank you to our sponsors, Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans, Atmos Energy, Yelp New Orleans, and Morris Bart Attorneys at Law. 

2018 Winners are....

Best Exotic Gumbo
1st Place - Desire Oyster Bar
2nd Place - Silk Road

Best Seafood Gumbo
1st Place - Desire Oyster Bar
2nd Place - Marriott New Orleans

Best Traditional Gumbo
1st Place - Catering d'Orleans
2nd Place - Gumbo Ya-Ya

People's Choice
Best Table Decorations - Marriott New Orleans
Best Dessert - Marriott New Orleans
Best Gumbo - Marriott New Orleans