Cool food events are always going on around town here in Little Rock.

The 4th Annual Jumbo Gumbo Cook Off will be held on Friday, April 5th (from 5-9pm) at the Little Rock River Market Pavilions. Tickets cost $20 at the gate, $15 in advance, and kids 5 and under are free!

All the gumbo you can eat doesn’t sound bad. But if you’re more inclined to cook rather than eat, prospective chefs are encouraged to enter the cook off. Team registration is just $75. Prizes and awards include: 1st Place ($500), 2nd Place ($250), 3rd Place ($100), as well as the Silver Spork, People’s Choice, Best Booth, Team Spirit, and Hottest Gumbo awards.

“I’m delighted that this year they have added a new award that teams may also receive. A handful of us local foodies of Arkansas will be handing out a Silver Spork award to the team that we determine to be the best. The monetary awards are still judged by strict criteria by the four local chef judges, but we have this opportunity to take part,” said Thanh Rasico of Red Kitchen Recipes.

I’ll be joining Thanh and others for this area of judging. Really looking forward to it!

The cook off benefits the Allen School:
The Allen School serves children, from birth to 5, diagnosed with conditions including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and other developmental delays. The school staff is dedicated to providing the perfect balance of education and inspiration. A combination of early childhood teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals work together with physical, speech, and occupational therapists to tailor programs that maximize each child’s potential.

For more event information, please call 501-301-4824 or check out http://www.jumbogumbocookoff.com/GUMBO.html or https://www.facebook.com/jumbogumbo