Celebrating 29 years
Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off
Gumbo Me.
Gumbo is back, baby.
Are you an aspiring gumbo chef or a professional that’s got this nailed down? Join in the fun at gumbo cook-off and show us what you’ve got! If you are better-suited to snacking, then come taste what our 20 gumbo chefs have cooked up in the park and vote for your favorite. Samples are a mere 75¢ each!
- Sat. Feb. 18, 2023
- Soda Springs Park
- 75¢ tastings at 11 am
And why a Cook-Off?
“Gumbo” is a Cajun soup containing roux or gumbo file (dried sassafras leaves). It usually contains a variety of meats and or seafood, okra and other ingredients & seasonings served over rice.
Gumbo tasting in Manitou Springs is serious businesses and is the early-morning kick-off to the Carnivale Weekend. Professional and amateur chefs offer their best pot of gumbo for judges and snackers. Cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as judged.
free smells
Best smelling place in town today!– Angel H.
gumbo Madness
What a fun event! Our family loved tasting all the gumbo and getting to vote for our favorite! – Sharon N.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you to all who participated in the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off! Congratulations to our winners:
PROFESSIONALS
- 1st Place – Trinity Earle
- 2nd Place – Dana Good
- 3rd Place – Kelly Cummings
AMATEURS
- 1st Place – Michael Lanclos
- 2nd Place – Wesley Carbo
- 3rd Place – Jason Pellegrin
Best Showmanship – Paul Haas
People’s Choice – Mathew Brittain
Gumbo questions, Gumbo answers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate?
We have 2 divisions; Professional and Amateur. Your choice (though we’d suggest only selecting professional if your day job is being a chef). Fill out the gumbo application EARLY as we only have 20 spaces available!
Is the event free to attend?
Yes! You are welcome to walk around and smell the gumbo, but if you want to actually taste gumbo, you’ll need to get tickets, 3 for $2 or 1 for $.75.
Where do we park?
Great question! Parking will be available for a fee at Hiawatha Gardens.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs and food won’t mesh at this event. Please leave your pup at home or you can’t be invited into the pavilion for sampling the delicious gumbos.
u-Turn Brass
Live Music
U-TURN BRASS
Colorado Springs’ own
funky brass band.
Guaranteed to liven up any
party, club, or show!
No foolin'
Gumbo Rules
Gumbo is serious business in Manitou Springs, and we’ve got Gumbo Rules to live by. If you are planning on cooking up a pot, then review these rules first!
- Each team is expected to make a minimum of 5 gallons of gumbo. Cooking time is 8:00am - 10:45am.
- Judging begins at 10:45am. Public tasting starts immediately following judging.
- Contestants must provide their own gas grill, fuel, cooking utensil, chairs, booth decor, etc.
- Contestants are asked to have a minimum of 2 assistants in their cooking area during the tasting.
- The Chamber of Commerce will provide one 8-foot covered table, tasting cups and spoons, napkins, and a Popsicle stick for “People's Choice” voting purposes.
- The judges’ decision is final. Prizes: 1st ($100), 2nd ($50) and 3rd ($25) . Best showmanship receives $50 in Manitou Money, Peoples' Choice receives a trophy.
- Entries are limited to 20 chefs, both professional and amateur and are accepted on a first-come-first serve basis.
View All Gumbo Cook-Off Rules
Ready to tackle the gumbo cook-off?
Register today
Signing up is easy, but we only have 20 spaces, and it’s first come, first served (pun intended).
We aren’t accepting applications yet for 2024’s Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off, check back for more information at the beginning of the year!
Thanks to our 2023 Sponsors!
Thanks to our 2023 Disposal Sponsor
