GUMBO FEST 2025 – KANSAS CITY’S ULTIMATE GUMBO COOK-OFF! Gumbo Fest is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of culture, resilience, and community. The spirit of gumbo is about bringing people together, just like The Prospect KC, where we work to disrupt poverty, empower lives, and cultivate community. Join us for a high-energy, high-flavor gumbo showdown, featuring Kansas City’s top chefs, restaurants, and community cooks, competing for the ultimate Gumbo Grand Champion title. DATE: Saturday, April 26, 2025 LOCATION: Parking Lot of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (40th & Main) TIME: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM WHO CAN COMPETE? We’re inviting restaurants, chefs, home cooks, and community partners to join this gumbo battle! Choose Your Competition Path: 🍽️ Restaurant Rumble – Where KC’s hottest restaurants go head-to-head for Gumbo Fest Grand Champion. 🏡 Community Cook Showdown – Open to home chefs and community partners who want to be crowned Community Cook Hero! WHAT YOUR TEAM RECEIVES: ✔️ Booth Setup: 10x10 tent, 2 chairs, 8ft table, handwashing station ✔️ Festival Essentials: KC Health Department permit, tasting bowls, bowls, spoons, and napkins ✔️ Gumbo Prep Support: We provide onions, bell peppers, and celery – you bring the magic! ✔️ Exclusive Perks: 🎟️ 8 event tickets 🍹 8 drink tickets 📢 Social Media Feature (Reel, Post & Story) 🌎 Feature on The Prospect KC website for the entire year 📌 Teams must provide: 12 gallons of gumbo Chafing dishes, Sterno, serving utensils, and team staffing ⚠️ MANDATORY MEETING: All teams must attend a pre-event meeting to review setup, complete health permits, and pass inspection. GUMBO CATEGORIES (SUGGESTIONS) Your gumbo entry can follow a traditional or unique path. Some suggested categories: 🍛 Classic Creole Gumbo – A rich, slow-cooked gumbo with seafood, chicken, or sausage. 🌶️ Savory Cajun Gumbo – Bold flavors, dark roux, and smoked meats. 🍠 Wild Card Gumbo – A creative twist! Vegan gumbo? Fusion flavors? Bring it on! 🏆 AWARDS & RECOGNITION 🌟 Top Honors: 🥇 Gumbo Grand Champion – Best overall gumbo, selected by our expert judges. 🏪 Restaurant Rumble Winner – Best restaurant-made gumbo in KC. 🏡 Community Cook Hero – Best gumbo from a home chef or community partner. 🔥 Specialty Awards: 🥣 Best Roux – Rich, flavorful, and silky smooth. 🌶️ Spice King/Queen – Best use of heat & bold flavors. 🗳️ People’s Choice Award – Voted by festival attendees! JUDGING CRITERIA: All gumbo entries will be evaluated by our expert panel based on: ✅ Flavor & Balance (25 pts): Is the gumbo rich, well-seasoned, and balanced? ✅ Roux Execution (20 pts): Is the roux deep, smooth, and properly integrated? ✅ Texture & Consistency (20 pts): Perfect thickness, proteins, and veggie blend? ✅ Aroma (15 pts): Does it make your mouth water before the first bite? ✅ Presentation (10 pts): Is the gumbo visually appealing? ✅ Originality (10 pts): (For Wild Card entries) How unique and well-executed is the idea?