Crazy Train Gumbo Cookoff
About this Event
CRAZY TRAIN BAR
2026 GUMBO COOKOFF
Saturday, November 14, 2026
25 Team Maximum • $75 Entry Fee Per Team
Public Tasting: $10 Per Person
EVENT SCHEDULE
7:00–7:45 AM — Team Arrival, Check-In & Setup
8:00 AM — Cooking Officially Begins
11:30 AM — Judging Samples Collected
12:00 PM — Public Tasting Begins
12:00–2:00 PM — Public Tasting & Tasters’ Choice Voting
2:00 PM — Tasters’ Choice Voting Closes
2:30 PM — Winners Announced
COOKOFF RULES
1. TEAM REGISTRATION
The Gumbo Cookoff is limited to 25 cooking teams.
The entry fee is $75 per team. Registration is not complete until the entry fee has been paid.
Teams may consist of 1–4 cooks. Each team must select a team name and designate one person as the Head Cook.
2. COOKING TIME
Teams may arrive and begin setting up at 7:00 AM.
Cooking officially begins at 8:00 AM.
No gumbo may be cooked before the official start time.
All competition gumbo must be cooked on-site at Crazy Train Bar on the day of the event.
3. GUMBO STYLES
There is no restriction on the style of gumbo entered.
Chicken & sausage, seafood, Cajun, Creole, wild game, combination and original recipes are all welcome.
Entries should be reasonably recognizable as gumbo.
4. INGREDIENT PREPARATION
Ingredients may be washed, chopped, trimmed, seasoned and measured before arriving.
Stocks and broths may be prepared in advance.
The finished gumbo itself may NOT be pre-cooked.
Teams bringing a partially or completely cooked gumbo to the competition WILL be disqualified.
5. QUANTITY
Each team must prepare approximately 7–10 gallons of gumbo.
Teams should prepare enough gumbo to provide samples for official judging and public tasting for 300+ people.
6. RICE
Gumbo may be served with or without rice.
Rice must be cooked separately on-site.
7. EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Each team is responsible for providing its own cooking equipment, pots, propane burners and fuel, utensils, ingredients, tables, tent/canopy, chairs, coolers, food preparation supplies, cleaning supplies and other equipment necessary to prepare and serve its gumbo.
Crazy Train Bar will provide all official tasting cups and spoons.
Teams are encouraged to decorate their cooking areas and compete for the Best Cook Tent Award!
8. FOOD SAFETY
Teams are responsible for safe food preparation and handling.
Raw meat and seafood must be maintained at safe temperatures before cooking.
Once cooked, gumbo must be maintained at an appropriate hot-holding temperature for public service.
Cooking areas must be kept clean and sanitary throughout the competition.
9. PUBLIC TASTING
Public tasting begins promptly at 12:00 PM.
The cost to participate is $10 per person.
Each paid participant will receive an official tasting cup and spoon and may sample gumbo from the participating teams.
Public tasting continues until 2:00 PM or until the gumbo is gone.
10. BLIND JUDGING
Each team will submit a sample for official judging at approximately 11:30 AM.
Competition samples will be identified by an assigned team number rather than the team's name.
Judges will not be told which team prepared each entry.
11. OFFICIAL JUDGING — 100 POINTS
Entries will be scored using the following criteria:
Taste — 40 Points
Overall flavor, seasoning and balance.
Aroma — 15 Points
Appetizing aroma and overall impression.
Consistency & Texture — 15 Points
Texture of the gumbo, proteins, vegetables and overall consistency.
Appearance — 10 Points
Visual appeal and presentation.
Overall Impression — 20 Points
The judge's overall impression of the finished gumbo.
TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE: 100 POINTS
12. TASTERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Every paid public tasting participant will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite gumbo.
Each participant receives one Tasters’ Choice vote.
Voting closes at 2:00 PM.
The team receiving the most valid votes will receive the:
🏆 2026 Crazy Train Gumbo Cookoff Tasters’ Choice Trophy
13. BEST COOK TENT AWARD
Teams are encouraged to decorate their cooking area and have some fun!
The Best Cook Tent Award will recognize the team with the best overall cooking area.
Judges may consider creativity, decorations, team theme, team spirit, signage, presentation and overall atmosphere.
🏆 The winning team receives the Best Cook Tent Trophy.
14. CASH PRIZES & TROPHIES
🥇 1ST PLACE
$250 CASH + 1st Place Trophy
🥈 2ND PLACE
$150 CASH + 2nd Place Trophy
🥉 3RD PLACE
$100 CASH + 3rd Place Trophy
🏆 TASTERS’ CHOICE
Tasters’ Choice Trophy
🏆 BEST COOK TENT
Best Cook Tent Trophy
Total Cash Prize Pool: $500
Winners will be announced at approximately 2:30 PM.
15. TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE
In the event of a tie in the official judging, the entry receiving the higher Taste score will receive the higher placement.
If the Taste scores are also tied, the higher Overall Impression score will determine the winner.
If a tie still remains, the judges will conduct a blind taste-off between the tied entries.
16. ALCOHOL
No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.
All alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages must be purchased from Crazy Train Bar.
17. CLEANUP
Each team is responsible for completely cleaning its cooking area following the competition.
Trash, cooking materials, grease and food waste must be disposed of properly.
Grease, gumbo and food waste may not be dumped onto the property or into sinks, toilets or drains unless specifically designated by Crazy Train staff.
18. SPORTSMANSHIP
This event is intended to be competitive, friendly and fun.
Teams are expected to treat fellow competitors, judges, Crazy Train staff and guests respectfully.
Crazy Train Bar reserves the right to disqualify a team for unsafe cooking practices, cheating, serious rule violations or inappropriate behavior.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 81.19
