Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators Found Shreveport’s Best Gumbo

If you ever wondered who makes the best gumbo in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, they let them battle it out this weekend at the Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators for VYJ!

Who were the winners of this year's Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators in Shreveport, LA?

On Saturday, March 9, 2024, 41 teams gathered at Shreveport's Festival Plaza at the crack of dawn (5 am to be exact) to whip up a whopping 58 pots of gumbo goodness, all vying for the coveted title of 'best gumbo' at the 11th Annual Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators. This event is Volunteers for Youth Justice's (VYJ) biggest fundraiser of the year, and let me tell you, the competition was hotter than Southern Maid Donut grease!

Here are the winners from the 2024 Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators:

Best Booth Design: Black Bayroux
Most Team Spirit: Krewe of Centaur

Seafood Category:
3rd Place: Black Bayroux
2nd Place: Cooking Cousins
1st Place: Boudreaux Bayou Brigade

Lagniappe Category:
3rd Place: Seonica’s
2nd Place: Roux Breakers
1st Place: Cooking Cousins

Chicken/Sausage Category:
3rd Place: Gumbo Garage
2nd Place: Black Bayroux
1st Place: Krewe of Centaur

People’s Choice Award:
3rd Place: Black Bayroux
2nd Place: Fat Tuesday
1st Place: Roux Breakers

What do they do at Volunteers for Youth Justice?

Now, let's talk about Volunteers for Youth Justice. If you're scratching your head wondering who they are, let me enlighten you. They're basically the unsung heroes of our community, dedicated to making life better for our local kiddos through a plethora of programs. As a former TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Advocate myself, I can vouch for the incredible work they do, from supporting foster families to providing CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and so much more.

How many children do Volunteers for Youth Justice serve?

And just how many kids do Volunteers for Youth Justice lend a helping hand to, you ask? Well, last year alone, they assisted over 5,300 children in our area! Imagine our community without them – it'd be like gumbo without roux, simply unimaginable!

So, how can you join the gumbo-filled crusade to support Volunteers for Youth Justice? Easy peasy! Mark your calendars for the next Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators, where you can satisfy your taste buds while supporting a fantastic cause. It'll all go down next March in Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport and don't forget our newest event, Jumbalaya Jamboree, returning to the Louisiana Boardwalk this fall.

Volunteers for Youth Justice is a non-profit organization promoting a community caring for children, youth, and families in crisis. Learn more at www.vyjla.org.