The New Orleans Restaurant community is doing their part in the Hurricane Katrina recovery by doing what they know best – COOKING!! On January 12th, United Way held its 7th Annual “Got Gumbo?” Cook-Off Event at the Chateau Sonesta Hotel.

The Mardi Gras themed event celebrated a New Year in New Orleans and the launch of the 2007 Carnival Season, inviting top New Orleans Restaurants to “Show me your gumbo!”

Participants were invited to compete in the following categories: Best Traditional Gumbo, Best Seafood Gumbo, and Best Exotic Gumbo.  There were also three People’s Choice Awards for Best Gumbo, Best Dessert, and Best “Mardi Gras Float” Table Decorations.

The restaurants were judged by the event’s “Krewe de Gumbo” panel of guest judges.  Judges included Cathy McRae - Shell Corporation, Bill Oliver -Bellsouth Communications, Gary Ostroske– United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area's President, Monica Pierre – WWL A.M. & Entercom, Romney Richard – Louisiana Cooking Magezine, Roop Raj – WDSU TV, Arthur Sterbcow – Latter & Blum, and Daneen Zeringue – Chateau Sonesta.

The participating chefs and restaurants in the ‘Parade of Gumbo’ were Petran Bridges -Audubon Golf Clubhouse, Lazone Randolph - Brennan’s Restaurant, Dustin Wells - Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, Juan Carlos Gonzalez - Café Adelaide, Adam Korbel - Chateau Sonesta, Tory McPhail - Commander’s Palace, Terrence Moore - Desire Oyster Bar, Gus Martin - Ralph’s on the Park, Douglas Braselman - Red Fish Grill, and Leslie Luquette, Chris Dukes and Joshua Abualjadail - Uptown Cajun.

The night’s big winners were Uptown Cajun (Traditional), Desire Oyster Bar (Seafood), and Commander’s Palace (Exotic).  Brennan’s Restaurant won the People’s Choice Award for Best Gumbo, while Audubon Golf Clubhouse won People’s Choice for both Best Dessert as well as Best “Float” Table Decorations.

In addition to the cook-off, the Matt Scoggin Band added to the fun with live music, King Cakes were provided by Breaux Mart, Salad was provided by Capital City Produce, and a raffle was held to benefit United Way’s “gumbo” of services.  Raffle prizes included gift certificates to Brennan’s and Uptown Cajun, a day of golf from Audubon, and a night’s stay at Chateau Sonesta.