IBERIA PARISH (NEW IBERIA) — As temperatures drop, warm bowls of gumbo are in high demand. This weekend, the 35th Annual World Championship Gumbo Cookoff is set to bring local families together in downtown New Iberia.
KATC spoke with one local family that has participated in the cookoff for over a decade. “It’s just something to get us together and have a good time,” said 14-time competitor Jason McLean.
Among the competitors is McLean's son Easton, who is returning Jr. Championship Gunmbo Cookoff this year hungry for his first win. “I really didn’t do much last year because there were a lot of people, but this year it’s only like four people, so I’m gonna be doing a lot!” Easton said.
Easton’s interest in gumbo cooking is fueled by family tradition. “His older sister won in their first year," said Jason, "and now he wants to catch up.”
The family’s team, known as “Big D’s,” is named in honor of a family member that ran for office in New Iberia, but passed away from cancer. “We started this in 2010 to keep the spirit alive as a family,” Jason said.
With aspirations of winning both junior and adult titles, Easton and Jason look forward to the weekend's events. “We all like to cook; we’re from South Louisiana!” Jason added.
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The following streets will be closed due to Gumbo Cookoff:
Iberia Street (Main to Fulton)
Closed: Friday 7:00AM - Sunday 7:00PM
Iberia Street (St. Peter to Main)
Closed: Friday, 7:00AM - Sunday, 7:00PM
Main Street (Julia to French)
Friday, 7:00AM - Sunday, 7:00PM
Main Street Loading Zone
Closed: Friday, 7:00AM - Sunday, 7:00PM
Main Street Parking Lot in front of Teche Wholesale/Pavilion
Closed: Friday, 7:00AM- Sunday, 7:00PM
Fulton Street (From Iberia to Swain)
Closed: Thursdav 7:00PM - Sunday 7:00PM
Burke Street
Closed: Thursday 7:00PM - Sunday 7:00PM
Bridge Street/Duperier Street between Front Street and the bridge
Closed: Friday, 7:00AM-11:30PM; Sunday, 5:00AM-7:00PM
