Cook-offs popping up

Celebrating & Fundraising — a perfect combo

 

October is National Popcorn Month and to celebrate we’re featuring popcorn recipes today and a selection of cookoffs popping up around Acadiana. 

Cookoffs are not unusual in south Louisiana, if you consider the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff is in its 29th year, but new on the block is Taunt Na Na’s Trade Days first Chili Dog Cookoff Oct. 27. Only in its second year was the Iberia Parish Recreation’s Pork Finger Cookoff at the Isle of Iberia Oct. 6. 

Cookoff with a Twist

On the scene for 2018 is a new concept for fundraising — for a good cause — the Solomon House Panty. The cookoff is called — “Top Chef … with a Twist” — a team food competition to be held Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Veterans Memorial Building in New Iberia’s City Park. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The challenge is for the team to come up with a creative idea to prepare the staples usually found on the shelves of a typical pantry but in this case, the Solomon House pantry.

Five local chefs, along with their junior chef assistants, will compete for the title “Top Chef” as they serve creative and economical dishes made from ingredients available from Solomon House. The competing chefs are Rebecca Holleman Comeaux from Beau Soliel Cafe & Catering, Adele Montegut from Bon Creole, Brenda Placied from Brenda’s Diner, Jennifer Dold from Clementine On Main and Carl Boudreaux from Jane’s Seafood & Chinese Restaurant. 

The public is invited to purchase tickets to sample each chef’s creation. Proceeds benefit Solomon House. Local high school teams also are getting into the fun-raising by constructing and displaying sculptures made from canned goods that will later be donated to replenish the Solomon House shelves. 

Musical entertainment will be provided by ESA students and DeeJay Vic Bush. Emcee Armond Schwing will keep the crowd entertained as guests enjoy the delicious creations of the volunteer chefs. 

Fundraising tickets to enjoy the creations are just $40 per person and are available through Solomon House or “Top Chef” committee members. A limited number of perk-filled premium sponsorships are still available, so don’t delay. For details, email solohousedirector@gmail.com or call Solomon House at 364-7798. Bring friends and join the festive funraiser. 

Bayou Bake-Off

Another inaugural event will be the Bayou Bake-Off at Harvest Moon Fest Oct. 27. The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau is hosting the first Bayou Bake-Off at Harvest Moon Fest held annually in Franklin at the Lamppost, 735 Main St. Categories for the Bake-off include brownies, candy, cake/cupcakes, cookies and pie/cobbler/custard. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 am. Judging will begin at 11 a.m. and winners will be announced at 1 p.m. Bakers must be in attendance to win.

Scoring will be based on presentation, appropriate texture, taste, consistency and overall impression. Contestants must be amateurs and all ages are encouraged to participate. Entries must be home cooked and not store bought. More than one entry is acceptable. Desserts must be prepared in a sanitary manner, completely cooked and no items must need refrigeration. Six items are needed for candy, cupcakes, brownies and cookies. Pies, cakes, cobblers and custards must include the entire dessert.

Entries must be clearly marked with contestant’s name and name of dessert in a sealed container with a recipe. Containers should also be labeled. With permission, recipes may be used for promotions of the Cajun Coast or Harvest Moon Fest.If permission is not granted, it will not affect the opportunity to win. Contestants may work as a team but only one award will be given to the team. Desserts may be picked up after the awards. Any leftovers after 2 p.m. become the property of the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau and Harvest Moon Fest.

For a complete list of rules, visit www.cajuncoast.com/event/annual-franklin-merchants-association-harvest-moon-festival.

Get your recipes and teams ready, check out these cooking challenges.

Gumbo Cookoff — World Championship Gumbo Cookoff, a family oriented food festival from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14 at Steamboat Pavilion at Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St. in historic downtown New Iberia. Gumbo Cookoff, Roux Run, Youth Gumbo Cookoff, Meanest Beans Competition, children’s activities, live music all weekend and more. Register for Roux Run. No pets or ice chests. Call 364-1836 or visit Website, Facebook.

Top Chef-Twist — The Solomon House “Top Chef … with a Twist”  fundraiser will be held Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Veterans Memorial Building in New Iberia’s City Park. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person available through Solomon House or a committee member, email solohousedirector@gmail.com or call Solomon House at 364-7798. 

Tailgating Cookoff — Good ol’ fashion Cajun tailgating cookoff from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 20 Loreauville Park, 601 Ed Broussard Rd., Loreauville. Raising money for St. Joseph Catholic Church with car show, rag-ball tournament and live music. Kid friendly. Call 578-4930.

Harvest Moon Fest Bake Off — Harvest Moon Fest, presented by the Franklin Main Street Merchants Association, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 along Franklin’s Main Street. The Bayou Bake Off is a dessert baking competition sponsored by the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau. 

Chili Dog Cookoff — Taunt Na Na’s Trade Days will hold its first Chili Dog Cookoff from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at Bouligny Plaza in downtown New Iberia. Taunt Na Na’s Trade Days will be featuring handcrafted items and live demonstrations by various crafters including blacksmiths, woodworkers, artists and more. An Accordion contest for players of all ages and abilities will take place under the gazebo from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Applications can be found at tauntnana.com

St. Jude Cookoff — Lazy Lounge Chili Cookoff & Hat Walk – Poker walk to the downtown bars and chili cookoff benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Lazy Lounge, 526 French St. in New Iberia. The procession starts at 9:30 a.m. Cookoff is an all-day event with live auction, 50/50 raffle and pick a prize auction. Steve Adams 4 Piece Trio at 5:30 p.m. $10 registration for the Wacky Hat Walk, $10 gate fee for the Chili Cookoff. Must be 21. Call 380-1525, visit Facebook.

Cooking not required for participation, eating is mandatory!