Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) is thrilled to announce the return of
its highly anticipated Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators event, set to take place on
Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport doors open at
11:00am and gumbo tasting is from Noon until 4:00pm. This family-friendly gumbo
cook-off will bring together teams from across the region to showcase their culinary
talents while supporting a vital cause.
Since its inception, Gumbo Gladiators has become a signature event for VYJ, drawing
thousands of attendees eager to sample the best gumbo North Louisiana has to offer.
Teams will compete in categories such as Seafood, Chicken & Sausage and
Lagniappe, with a panel of judges selecting the top contenders. Attendees will also
have the opportunity to vote for their favorite gumbo with the People’s Choice Award
and Award for Best Booth decided by the attendees.
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Volunteers for Youth Justice, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing advocacy, mentoring, and intervention services to
at-risk youth and families in the community. VYJ continues to experience a year of
growth, expanding its programs, employees, and community partnerships to better
serve children and families in need.
“We are excited to bring the community together once again for an unforgettable day of
food, fun, and friendly competition,” said Alex Person, Director of Community
Engagement for VYJ. “This event not only highlights the incredible culinary skills of our
local gumbo masters but also strengthens our mission of supporting and empowering
youth.”
Registration is now open for cooking teams and sponsorship opportunities. Interested
participants can visit www.gumbogladiators.com for more details and to sign up.