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Got Gumbo? Cook-Off Serves Up Flavor, Fun, and Friendly Competition

“Our city is built on connection, culture, and community. We’re proud to support United Way by hosting the Got Gumbo? Cook-Off, an event that not only celebrates our city’s incredible culinary talent but also brings people together to make a real difference."

David Bilbe, General Manager, Royal Sonesta New Orleans

“Our Got Gumbo? Cook-Off is a great example of what can happen when people come together around something bigger than themselves. I’m grateful to our sponsors, partners, teams, and everyone who showed up and made it special. Events like this bring people together to help us move the work forward, creating more stability, more opportunity, and a stronger community for our future. We can’t do it alone, and moments like this remind us of what’s possible when we show up together. That’s what it means when we say United is the Way.”

Michael Williamson, President & CEO, United Way of Southeast Louisiana

We gathered in the heart of New Orleans for the 24th Annual Got Gumbo? Cook-Off, presented by Chalmette Refining, where the Grand Ballroom at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans was filled with the rich aroma of simmering roux and the unmistakable energy of a community coming together. It was a celebration of local talent, friendly rivalry, and, ultimately, a community united for a cause.

Attendees enjoyed unlimited tastings from local chefs and restaurants, all competing for the title of Best Gumbo in the categories of Seafood, Traditional, and Exotic, along with Best Dessert and Best Table Décor.

This year, we launched the elevated VIP Experience, giving guests an immersive start to the evening. Perks included early access, a meet-and-greet with celebrity judges, exclusive tastings, a presentation by Chef Isaac Toups, and reserved seating with a private bar.

Chefs from Annunciation Restaurant, Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel – New Orleans, Desire Oyster Bar, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans Marriott, Oceana Grill, Ralph’s on the Park, Red Fish Grill, Restaurant R’evolution, Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Ruby Slipper, and The Mardi Gras School of Cooking competed for top honors.

From rich roux to spicy seafood, decadent desserts, and show-stopping table décor, each restaurant brought bold flavors, creativity, and competitive spirit in pursuit of the winning title.

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

 

Krewe de Gumbo Celebrity Judge Awards

Best Traditional Gumbo: Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel – New Orleans, Chef Thomas Wright
Best Seafood Gumbo: Desire Oyster Bar, Chef Latrell Selestan
Best Exotic Gumbo: The Mardi Gras School of Cooking, Chef Raymond Signal

 

The People’s Choice Awards

Best Gumbo: Desire Oyster Bar, Chef Latrell Selestan
Best Dessert: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Chef Sam Murillo
Best Table Décor: The Mardi Gras School of Cooking, Chef Raymond Signal

Congratulations to all of our winners and participants for making this year’s cook-off unforgettable.

 

View Photos from the Event

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Supporters

We’re grateful to our presenting sponsor, Chalmette Refining, for helping make this night possible.

A heartfelt thank you to our panel of judges, who took on the tough job of tasting dozens of gumbos to help crown this year’s champions:

    • Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Community Relations Manager, Chalmette Refining

    • Garrett Hartley, Super Bowl Champion, Managing Partner, ReCLAIM ENERGY

    • Heidi Kiesling, Community Engagement Director, Pan-American Life Insurance Group

    • Ian McNulty, Writer, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate and NOLA.com

    • James Clesi, Owner, Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant and Catering

    • Jeff Heard, Owner, Heard Dat Kitchen

    • Ron Stone, Corporate Relations Regional Lead GOA & Midstream, Shell USA

 

We also extend our appreciation to The Royal Sonesta New Orleans for graciously hosting us once again, and to every attendee who came out to support United Way.

We’re especially grateful to the participating restaurants that generously donated their time, talent, and top-tier gumbo and desserts to make the event a success. Your creativity and commitment to the community were on full display with every bite.

United is the Way to a stronger, more resilient Southeast Louisiana.

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.