Visitors and campers alike soaked in the sun and tried different variations of pork Saturday while sitting poolside at the second annual Pork Finger Cookoff at the Isle of Iberia.

Katie Landry, director of parks and rec for the Isle of Iberia, said the cookoff has two different categories.

“We have a jambalaya division and a pork finger division, which includes Korean pork ribs, pulled pork, pork stew and pork nachos, just to name a few,” Landry said. “It’s a really wide range of pork dishes.”

Landry said a grand champion and a reserved champion are named in each division, noting they receive plaques and cooking utensils. Landry said the pork finger cookoff had 18 entrants this year. 

“We came up with the idea last year and campers tend to barbecue and we all thought it would be a good idea,” she said. “It also allows people to be really creative with pork dishes.”

As the Isle of Iberia’s campers, local residents and visitors flocked to the site, they were met with booths and setups that provided crafts and gifts as well as face paint and a fun jump for kids.

Pork fingers are just something different, Landry said. At first, she said, using pork fingers was a concept they didn’t think would catch on, adding how they had no idea they would get as many dishes as they did.

“We all thought we’d just have a pork finger cook-off and it became something totally different,” Landry said. “We were just looking for something fun to do here at the Isle and we wanted something for the campers and the general public to participate in and that’s why we had a cook-off.”

One of the competitors for the Pork Finger Cookoff, Liz Breaux, said she’s glad to be part of such a fun event.

“It’s a good community and family event,” Breaux said

Breaux said she made pulled pork with smothered potatoes, noting she was hopeful of doing even better this year after competing in last year’s event.

“We competed last year and came in third place, so we’re hoping to creep up a little more this year,” Breaux said. “We’ve had a really good turnout today, which is always a good thing for New Iberia.”

Breaux said she loves the park, citing how she enjoys coming to the Isle of Iberia because how familiar it feels. 

“It’s close to home,” Breaux said.

Landry said agreed and said the Pork Finger Cookoff is good for the community.

“We try to get everyone involved because it is good for the city of New Iberia and its people to have events like this,” she said.

Landry said she travels to different parishes who all do events like the Pork Finger Cookoff.

“So to offer something like this in our own backyard, it’s something we had to do,” Landry said. “The more choices we have, the better.”

PORK FINGER COOKOFF RESULTS

Following are the winners of the 2018 Isle of Iberia Pork Finger Cookoff held Saturday:

• “Jambalaya” Division

Grand Champion: Acadians Site

Reserve Champion: 6 Spoons and Their Knives

People’s Choice: All Jacked Up

• “Pork” Division 

Grand Champion: Rockin Cookers with Pork Rice and Gravy

Reserve Champion: Arthur’s Hot Peppers with Grilled Pork Fingers

People’s Choice: Jeff’s Upholstery with Sugar Cane Wontons