Updates: Jay Ducote and Commander’s Palace chef Luke Hidalgo will be among this year’s celebrity judges. This story has also been updated to include some new numbers from the Roux Rally team about anticipated attendees.
With a move downtown, Red Stick Roux Rally is poised to grow bigger than ever
By the time this year’s Mardi Gras Mambo runners cross the finish line downtown, the savory scent of Louisiana cooking and sounds of live music will fill the air.
Starting at 6 a.m., about 40 teams will swarm Galvez Plaza for Red Stick Roux Rally, cooking up their versions of one of the state’s most beloved dishes. They’ll serve their gumbo to judges and hundreds of guests in hopes of being named the best.
The annual cook-off has grown tremendously since its debut at Tin Roof three years ago, when only five teams competed. The Feb. 13 event marks the first time the cook-off will be held downtown, and organizers expect attendance and participation to more than double compared to last year’s turnout of 18 teams and 1,000 guests.
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Roux Rally by the numbers
30 types of gumbo attendees can try
245 estimated gallons of gumbo to be cooked
$10 suggested donation at entry
2,000 attendees anticipated
The cook-off attracts attendees and teams from all over south Louisiana, with a mix of amateur chefs and pros competing, including Baton Rouge celebrity chef Jesse Romero. There are no restrictions on ingredients, so teams can get inventive. Last year’s winning dish was a shrimp and ham gumbo.
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All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Youth Oasis, an emergency shelter for runaway, abandoned and homeless youth. The organization provided housing for 90 individuals and served 9,000 meals last year.
“Roux Rally is becoming our single most significant fundraiser. It’s grown from really nothing, to last year they raised over $10,000 for us,” says Youth Oasis Executive Director Rafael de Castro. “Without Roux Rally … I don’t know if we’d be able to continue our mission in Baton Rouge.” rouxrally.com
Feb. 13 event schedule
Noon: Event opens; Chase Tyler plays
1 p.m.: Gumbo tasting
3:30-6 p.m.: The Chee-Weez play
4:30 p.m.: Winners’ ceremony
6 p.m.: After-party