8.6.21
2021 St. Tammany Red Beans N Rice Recap
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped return this year’s cook-offs to the community! From the sponsors and teams to all our attendees, we are grateful for your continued support of our efforts to cook delicious red beans while raising dollars to fund critical programs in St. Tammany.
Our partners at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office estimate that nearly one in five area residents is living with mental illness, and many of these individuals are also fighting substance use disorder. Together, we recognize there is an urgent need to help the community’s law enforcement officers and first responders better respond to individuals in a behavioral health crisis and defuse potential trauma while on a call.
Through a partnership with NAMI St. Tammany and the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority, the sheriff’s office aims to provide training and supplies needed to facilitate Crisis Intervention Team and Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety trainings to area officers, fire fighters, and EMS personnel.
I’m pleased to report that we brought in over $20,000 through our East and West events in 2021 to help fund these efforts and other United Way programs serving St. Tammany residents.
I would like to thank our generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsors – Ochsner Health, Slidell Memorial Hospital, and St. Tammany Health System – the East and West cook-off committees, community partners, and all event volunteers and cooking teams. Our cook-offs have become a genuine rallying point for St. Tammany, and that’s thanks in large part to their dedication to providing a top-notch experience amidst the pandemic.
Read on below to see which teams took home the top prizes at the 12th annual West and 17th annual East Red Beans 'N Rice Cook-Offs.
West St. Tammany Red Beans N Rice Winners
Best Decorated Booth
- First Place - Covington Police Department
- Second Place - Covington Firefighter's Association
Best Dessert
- First Place - Mandeville Police Department
- Second Place - Covington Police Department
Community Spirit Award - St. Tammany Sheriff's Office
People's Choice Award - St. Tammany Fire District #12
Judge's Pick
- First Place - St. Tammany Fire District #12
- Second Place - Covington Fire Department
- Third Place - St. Tammany's Coroner's Office
Battle of the Badge - Mandeville Police Department
Battle of the Fire Helmet - St. Tammany Fire District #12
Check out pictures from the event below!
Take my word for it now, next year’s cook-offs will be busting at the seams, and I can’t wait for the return of all our amazing teams and wonderful guests.
Living United,
Sonja Newman
UWSELA Resource Development Director