Wimberley Cajun Cultural Alliance Hosts 1st Annual Gumbo Competition

Fifty-six competitors comprising 14 teams endured Arctic conditions to compete in the 1st Annual Wimberley Cajun Cultural Alliance (WCCA) Mardi Gras Party & Gumbo Cookoff, held at Cypress Falls in Woodcreek. Teams set up in drizzling darkness to begin the tedious and labor-intensive process of cooking authentic Cajun gumbo from scratch. Teams of all experience levels competed providing a challenging yet rewarding task of choosing the best gumbo in Wimberley.

The top prize was a custom wood and epoxy cutting board created by Chris Halley who also provided the 3rd place award. Second and People’s Choice from trees felled during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. First prize went to “SMTX Cookers”, Second place went to “The Bureaux” and third place went to “Dr. Brisket.” “Creole Cedar Choppers” won the People’s Choice and Tent Decoration contests, respectively.

Organizers were surprised at the outpouring of support the event has garnered in a very short amount of time. “We pulled this thing off in six weeks.” WCCA President Travis Martin said. “From our sponsors, volunteers, and The Jesse Stratton Band playing ‘till their fingers were numb – everyone’s support was critical, but we did it.” Over $1,800 was raised to donate to Trees for the Blanco, and several sponsors and competitors have agreed to participate in next year’s competition, according to Martin. “This was our year to lay the foundation for the event for the years to come. Next year will be bigger, better, and hopefully a lot warmer.” Next year’s competition is expected to be larger, with more teams, vendors, music, awards, and prizes.

The judging panel of five was selected based on overall experience cooking and tasting gumbo and hailed from as near as Wimberley, to as far as New Orleans.

The WCCA was founded with the mission of spreading the Cajun heritage and culture of Louisiana and Southeast Texas throughout the Wimberley Valley and Central Texas.