Warriors Jambalaya Cookoff to Benefit Veterans Home and Cemetery

Area chefs prepare to show off their culinary skills for the inaugural Warriors Jambalaya Cook-off to benefit the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Veterans Cemetery.

The event, sponsored by the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Cemetery Ancillary Committee, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park off Interstate 10 in Jennings.

“We want everyone to come out and have a good time and help our veterans,” said Kaly Gist, Veterans 2 Home Therapy Specialist.

Registration is now open. The registration cost is $75 per team. Registrations will be accepted at the door on the day of the event.

“Teams can cook any type of jambalaya they want, but they have to cook enough to serve 75 people,” said Kaly Gist, Veterans 2 Home Therapy Specialist.

Teams will compete for first, second, and third place and People’s Choice.

Teams will begin setting up at 7:30 am in the park. Teams are encouraged to decorate their stands.

All ingredients, cooking and cleaning supplies, and serving utensils must be provided by each team. The organizers will provide a bowl, utensils and napkins for serving.

Pre-cooked rice and pre-seasoned meats will be allowed, but no other pre-cooked or canned products will be allowed.

Service and tasting will begin at 11:00 a.m. Plaques will be given to first, second and third place and public choice voted by the public. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m.

There will be a $10 admission fee for spectators. The cost will include a bracelet to participate in the tasting, a bowl, utensils and a ticket to vote for the public prize.

In addition to the cook-off jambalaya, burgers, sausages on a stick, fries, drinks, cookies, brownies and more will be sold.

A corn hole tournament will also take place. The registration cost is $20 for a team of two people. Other activities will include ball arts for children and a raffle.

Music will be provided by DJ Terry Courville of the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 215.

Proceeds from the event will help the Auxiliary Committee support the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Veterans Cemetery.

The committee used proceeds from past events to help pay for half of a bingo console for the house and leaves for the memorial tree in the house chapel.

He recently helped purchase a windbreak for an outdoor funeral at the Veterans’ Cemetery.

No alcohol or outside beverages will be allowed.

For the registration form or more information, send an email to ancillarycookoff@yahoo.com