Episcopal Place’s sixth annual Gumbo Gala, presented by Ezell’s Catfish Cabin, will be May 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Caldwell Park.
Up to 40 professional and amateur teams will be cook and serve gumbo at the fundraising event as they compete for the title of “Birmingham’s Best Gumbo” and other awards.
Robert Regard of Crazy Cajun’s Boiling Pot, last year’s winner in the professional category, will try to defend his title against competitors such as 2009 winner Muddbug’s Gourmet Foods and 2008 winner Garage Café. Regard has competed in all previous Gumbo Galas, winning the top professional award three out of five years.
Also competing in the professional category this year will be Jubilee Joe’s, Kelley’s Neighborhood Sports Grill, Hummingbird Catering, St. Martin’s RouxStirs, Burch Corporation/Cajun Cleaver and the Barking Kudu Bar and Grill.
The planning committee, chaired by John Pelham of Pelham Financial Group, has been recruiting teams and sponsors for this year’s event. Committee members are: Rob Conrad of Magic 96.5; Allen Oakes, Burch Corporation; Debbie Breaux, CareFusion; Trudie Gruman; Agnew Hall, Ezell’s Catfish Cabin; Juan Carlos Moreno, Moreno Law Office; Lucas Pepke, Virginia Samford Theatre; Dan Price, Brice Building Co.; Terry Rogers, St. Martin’s-in-the-Pines; Butch Williams, Robbie D. Wood, Inc.; Rachel and Will Williams; and staff members from Episcopal Place.
Amateur teams from local businesses and churches as well as individuals also will dish up gumbo to the beat of live New Orleans-style jazz music provided by the Legendary Pineapple Skinners.
First, second and third place trophies will be awarded in the amateur division.
Competing this year in the Backyard Chefs Amateur Division will be Snap Fitness Snapper Heads, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Madison; Team Ennis; St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands; 55th Place Community Thrift Shop; Robinson-Adams Insurance; Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose; Church of the Ascension; SPM, LLC; Butt Patrol; All Saints’ Wednesday Morning Sinners; Firehouse Cajun Steamers, Birmingham Fire Department; Vets Victory Gumbo – Three Hots and A Cot; Far Frum Kajun; Band of Buds, Budweiser; Pelham Financial-Trinity Commons; Cosmo Teresi; Alabama Telco Credit Union; Wear Tek, Inc.; St. Stephen’s Creole Crusaders; CareFusion; Showtunes; Business Electronics; Payscape Advisors; Lanny Miller Painting Co; and 2600 Highland Condominiums.
All teams will be eligible for the Chef’s Choice awards for seafood, chicken, sausage and specialty gumbo as well as the Team Spirit and People’s Choice awards.
The “Most Divine Gumbo Award” will be presented to the Episcopal team with the best gumbo.
The event also includes children’s games and entertainment. Rob Conrad and Jeanine Jersey of Magic 96.5-FM’s morning show will emcee.
Tickets are $10; children age 12 and under are admitted free. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.gumbogala.com, call 939-0085 or e-mail [email protected].
All proceeds help provide supportive services to seniors and young adults with disabilities who live at Episcopal Place, an affordable housing community near Caldwell Park.
Services include noon meals, subsidized housekeeping, health screenings, pastoral care, and planned social activities to help residents live independently for as long as possible in EP’s homelike environment.
