2025 Gumbo Cook Off

Join us for Dodie’s First Ever GUMBO COOK OFF!

Sun, Nov 9 • 2–6 PM

$35 per entry ($40 day of)
TWO WAYS TO WIN!
People’s Choice & Judges’ Choice
Cash Prizes

Enter Your Gumbo

 

Gumbo for Good!

All Proceeds from the event will benefit GivingMas. Learn more about Giving Mas by visiting: givingmas.org

 

People’s Choice Judging – $10

Includes one tasting spoon and one ballot. Try them all and vote your favorite.

Cook Team Entry

Bring the heat. Bring the flavor. Grab your spot and compete for the crown.

Register a Team

Rules

BAYOU BASICS

  • Event Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
  • Event Time: 2-6pm (set-up 1-:30pm; 1:45pm cut-off)
  • Event Location: Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor in Rockwall, TX
  • Maximum # of entries: 28
  • Entry fee: $35 advance/$40 door

 

ROUX-LES OF THE GAME

  • Your gumbo must be prepared at home and arrive at Dodie’s in a crock pot or other warming device between 1 and 1:30PM on Sunday, Nov 9. There is a 1:45PM cut-off for set-up and late arrivals. Event begins at 2.
  • All gumbo entries are “Anything Goes” (any style, any ingredients).
  • Please bring a large serving utensil (some may be provided, but just in case).
  • Please bring an extension cord (may or may not be needed, depending on your station).
  • You may bring add-ons as desired, including rice, hot sauce, etc. provided everything fits within your allocated space.
  • Your gumbo entry (crock pot, large serving utensil, and any add-ons) must fit within your designated station area of approximately 2-4 square feet. Ramekins will be provided and must also fit within the allocated space. Contestants will be utilizing shared tables.
  • All entries will be assigned a number for impartial judging.
  • Contestants may interact with voters or judges if desired or choose not to be present at their station.
  • People’s Choice Judging is available for anyone that buys a spoon and a ballot to participate at Dodie’s on this day. People can buy multiple spoons/ballots at $10 each. Winner will receive a cash prize based upon popular vote. Multiple spoons may be purchased by one individual. Spoons are sold at the door.
  • A panel of judges will be tasting all gumbo entries and awarding a cash prize for Judges Choice.
  • Judges will evaluate at 2:30-3PM, People’s Choice Voting at 5:30PM. Votes will be counted and the results announced before 6:00 p.m