GUMBO COOK-OFF
Bring your appetite and your competitive spirit! Join us for an afternoon of homemade gumbo, friendly competition, People's Choice voting, raffles, and community giving, all in support of Givingmas.
Tasting tickets sold at the event. Contestants must register in advance. All ages welcome.
Rockwall, Texas
A WHOLE LOTTA GUMBO. A WHOLE LOTTA FUN!
Join us at Dodie's Cajun Diner at The Harbor for our 2nd Annual Gumbo Cook-Off benefiting Givingmas! Taste homemade gumbos, vote for your favorites, cheer on local cooks, and enjoy fundraising raffles, prizes, and plenty of Cajun fun.
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- 1:00–4:00 PM
- Dodie's at The Harbor, Rockwall
WHAT'S COOKIN'?
Every Roux Has a Story!
Good Gumbo. Great Company.
Two Ways to Win!
Good Gumbo. Great Cause.
THE AFTERNOON LINEUP
Contestant Check-In
Registered cooks arrive, check in, and prepare their stations. Contestants only.
Let the Tasting Begin!
Public tasting begins! Purchase your tasting spoon, sample the competing gumbos, and cast your People's Choice vote.
Taste, Vote & Give Back
Enjoy the competition, purchase additional voting tickets, and participate in fundraising raffles.
Raffles, Awards & Announcements
Stick around as we begin wrapping up People's Choice voting, share more about Givingmas, draw raffle winners, and announce our Gumbo Cook-Off champions!
Event Wrap-Up
Celebrate a great afternoon of competition and community giving as the cook-off concludes.
*Times are approximate. Voting deadlines, raffle drawings, and award announcements will be confirmed during the event. Please listen for announcements from event organizers.
MEET GIVINGMAS.
Financial independence isn't always about working harder. Sometimes, it's about overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way. Givingmas is a Dallas-based nonprofit helping families build more stable, independent futures.
Through personalized guidance, practical resources, and ongoing support, Givingmas works alongside families to address real-life challenges and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.
SAME GREAT CAUSE. EVEN BIGGER GOALS.
Raised for Givingmas at last year's cook-off. Our community came together for gumbo, friendly competition, and giving back. Let's make an even greater impact in 2026!
THE IMPACT OF A HELPING HAND
Behind these numbers are families receiving practical assistance, guidance, and opportunities to build independent futures.
HOW GIVINGMAS HELPS
Every family's journey is different. Givingmas helps families address the practical challenges standing between where they are and where they want to be.
Financial Stability
Helping families improve credit, manage debt, build budgets, and develop habits that support long-term independence.
Career & Education
Supporting educational goals, professional training, employment opportunities, and career advancement.
Removing Barriers
Addressing transportation, driver's licenses, and unresolved legal challenges that can prevent progress.
Personalized Guidance
Working alongside families to establish goals, navigate setbacks, access resources, and celebrate milestones.
REAL FAMILIES. REAL PROGRESS.
Behind every milestone is a family putting in the work. These stories show what determination and the right support can make possible.
Meet Crystal
Crystal became debt-free and rebuilt her financial foundation with help from Givingmas. Over approximately 18 months, her credit score rose from 583 to more than 700.
Read Crystal's Story →
Meet Raven
Raven earned her Texas esthetician license and moved into her own apartment. She's now building the financial habits and confidence that come with independent living.
Read Raven's Story →
Meet Jessica
Jessica is graduating from community college and has been accepted to the University of Texas at Arlington for the spring, marking an exciting next step in her education.
Read Jessica's Story →GOOD FOOD CAN DO GREAT THINGS.
Every tasting spoon purchased, every vote cast, and every raffle ticket sold helps support Givingmas and its mission to help families overcome obstacles. You're helping create opportunities for families in our community.
COME HUNGRY.
TASTE, VOTE & GIVE BACK!
Think you've tasted some great gumbo? Wait until you see what our local cooks are bringing to the table!
Join us Sunday, December 6, for an afternoon of homemade gumbo, friendly competition, raffles, and Louisiana-style fun. Sample the entries, pick your favorites, and help support Givingmas!
COME TASTE THE COMPETITION!
ONE SPOON. PLENTY OF WAYS TO VOTE!
Everything is available for purchase at the event.
Love more than one gumbo? Vote for several! You can purchase as many additional People's Choice votes as you'd like. Each person tasting, including children, needs their own $10 spoon. Tasting begins at 1 PM.
HOW TO TASTE & VOTE
GET YOUR SPOON!
Pick up your $10 tasting spoon and included People's Choice voting ticket when you arrive.
TASTE THE ENTRIES!
Visit the gumbo stations, meet the contestants, and sample their competing recipes.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!
Put your voting ticket in the cup at the gumbo station you like best!
GET MORE VOTES!
Love more than one gumbo? Purchase additional People's Choice voting tickets at the event!
✦ SCENES FROM OUR INAUGURAL GUMBO COOK-OFF
Use the arrows or swipe to explore photos from last year's event.
🏆 The Competition
Cheer on local cooks and see who earns Judges' Choice and People's Choice honors.
🎟️ Raffles & Prizes
Join the fundraising raffles featuring local restaurant and business gift cards. Raffle tickets sold separately.
💜 A Great Cause
Bring your crew for good food and community fun while supporting Givingmas and the families it serves.
Tasting spoons, additional People's Choice votes, and raffle tickets are sold at the event only. Each $10 tasting spoon includes one vote. Each person tasting, including children, needs their own spoon. Additional votes are optional. Voting closes at a time announced on site. Proceeds benefit Givingmas.
TWO WAYS TO WIN!
Two competitions, six prizes, and plenty of bragging rights! Our guest judges and the gumbo-loving crowd will each select their top three winners.
Judges' Choice
Three guest judges independently evaluate the competing gumbos to select their first, second, and third place winners.
People's Choice
The people have the power! Guests taste the entries and cast their votes for their favorite gumbos.
✦ MEET YOUR JUDGES ✦
Three judges. Plenty of opinions. Only the best gumbo will rise to the top!
Judge Name
Title / Restaurant / OrganizationA short introduction or fun fact about the judge goes here. One or two sentences is perfect!
Judge Name
Title / Restaurant / OrganizationA short introduction or fun fact about the judge goes here. One or two sentences is perfect!
Judge Name
Title / Restaurant / OrganizationA short introduction or fun fact about the judge goes here. One or two sentences is perfect!
Winners will be announced toward the end of the event. Good luck to all our competing cooks!
THE FUN DOESN'T STOP AT THE GUMBO!
Come for the gumbo, stay for the excitement! Along with tasting and voting, we'll have some fantastic raffle opportunities featuring gift cards from local favorites, fun prizes, and surprises throughout the afternoon. Best of all, it supports Givingmas!
THE GIFT CARD TREE
A collection of gift cards from some of our favorite restaurants and businesses!
Featured businesses and gift card values are subject to final prize availability.
MORE PRIZES UP FOR GRABS!
The Gift Card Tree is just the beginning! Look for even more raffle opportunities.
We're putting together an assortment of additional raffle prizes and donated merchandise. Potential prizes include:
Additional raffle prizes are being finalized. Actual items may vary.
WANT A CHANCE TO WIN? GRAB A RAFFLE TICKET!
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event, with proceeds benefiting Givingmas. Raffle tickets are sold separately from tasting spoons and People's Choice voting tickets. Every ticket purchased helps support a great cause!
✦ A LOOK AT LAST YEAR'S FUN ✦
Great prizes, good company, and a whole lot of fun!
Whether you're tasting, voting, or trying your luck in the raffles, you're helping Givingmas make a meaningful difference for local families.
THINK YOUR
GUMBO HAS
WHAT IT TAKES?
Got a treasured family recipe or a gumbo creation that's entirely your own? It's time to put it to the test!
Dodie's 2nd Annual Gumbo Cook-Off is calling on local cooks to bring their best recipes for a friendly competition filled with Louisiana flavor, great prizes, and plenty of bragging rights. Whether you're a seasoned gumbo maker or entering your first cook-off, we'd love to see what you've got!
ENTRY FEE
✦ BRING YOUR BEST TO THE TABLE ✦
A look back at the fun and competition from last year's Gumbo Cook-Off.
HERE'S THE SCOOP ON THE SHOWDOWN
Anything Goes!
Traditional Cajun, Creole, seafood, chicken and sausage, or your own creative spin. There's one open gumbo category, so bring your best!
Prepare at Home
Prepare your gumbo ahead of time and bring it in a crockpot or warming device. Bring a serving ladle and extension cord, too. Optional accompaniments are welcome!
Two Ways to Win
Every entry competes for both Judges' Choice and People's Choice awards, with cash prizes and Dodie's gift certificates up for grabs.
Contestant Check-In
Arrive between noon and 12:45 PM. Check in with staff, draw your station number, and set up at your assigned spot. Be ready by 12:45 PM!
✦ HOW TO ENTER ✦
Three simple steps to get your gumbo into the competition!
Complete the Form
Fill out the online contestant registration form with your information.
We'll Contact You
Dodie's will follow up within approximately 24 hours to arrange your $35 entry payment and answer any questions.
You're Confirmed!
Once your entry fee is received, your contestant spot is officially confirmed. Time to get cooking!
READY TO BRING THE ROUX?
Only 17 contestant spots are available! Complete the registration form, review the Roux-les of the Game, and get ready to show Rockwall what great gumbo tastes like.
Registration is not confirmed until the $35 entry fee has been received. Dodie's will contact you after your form is submitted to complete registration.
ROUX-LES OF THE GAME!
Before you fire up the stove, here's everything you need to know about competing in Dodie's 2nd Annual Gumbo Cook-Off. Click each section below to review the competition guidelines.
01 Registration & Entry Fees
- The contestant entry fee is $35 per entry.
- The competition is limited to a maximum of 17 contestants.
- All contestants must complete the online registration form in advance. Walk-in entries will not be accepted.
- After submitting your form, Dodie's will contact you to collect your entry fee and review event details. Please allow at least 24 hours for a response.
- Your entry is not confirmed until the registration fee has been paid.
02 What Kind of Gumbo Can I Enter?
We're keeping things deliciously simple with one open category: Anything Goes!
Traditional Cajun, Creole, seafood, chicken and sausage, or your own creative interpretation are all welcome. Bring the gumbo recipe you think deserves to win!
All entries must be prepared and handled in accordance with applicable food safety practices.
03 Cooking & What to Bring
- All gumbo must be fully prepared before arriving at the event.
- Bring your gumbo in a crockpot, electric warmer, or other appropriate equipment that keeps it at a safe serving temperature.
- Bring your own ladle, serving utensils, and any other equipment needed for your station.
- Bring an extension cord if your setup requires one.
- You may bring optional accompaniments to serve with your gumbo.
- Dodie's will provide the small tasting bowls and spoons for attendees.
04 Arrival, Check-In & Setup
- Contestant check-in and setup begin at 12:00 PM on Sunday, December 6.
- All contestants should be fully set up and ready to serve by 12:45 PM.
- Check in with Dodie's staff when you arrive. Each contestant will randomly draw a numbered station assignment.
- Please do not begin setting up until you have checked in and received your station number.
- Stations will have approximately 2–4 square feet of shared setup space.
- Contestants may temporarily unload near the hotel entrance before moving their vehicles to designated parking areas.
Free self-parking is available at The Harbor, and validated valet parking is also offered.
05 Judges' Choice Competition
Three guest judges will evaluate the competing gumbo entries and determine first, second, and third place.
- Dodie's staff will collect and present numbered gumbo samples to the judges.
- Judging takes place in a separate area away from the contestant stations.
- Samples will be identified by station number, not by contestant name.
- Contestants should not approach or communicate with the judges about their entries during judging.
06 People's Choice Voting
Event attendees can sample the competing gumbos by purchasing a $10 tasting spoon, which includes one People's Choice voting ticket.
- Additional votes are available for $5 each or five for $20.
- Guests may purchase unlimited additional votes.
- Votes may be cast for one contestant or distributed among multiple contestants.
- Voting tickets are deposited into numbered containers at each contestant station.
- The voting deadline will be announced during the event.
07 Prizes & Winners
There are two separate award categories: Judges' Choice and People's Choice.
Each category awards the following prizes:
- 1st Place: $100 cash
- 2nd Place: $50 Dodie's gift certificate
- 3rd Place: $25 Dodie's gift certificate
Winners will be announced toward the end of the event, which is expected to conclude around 4:00 PM.
08 During the Event
- The cook-off opens to the public at 1:00 PM.
- Keep your gumbo at a safe serving temperature and your station clean throughout the event.
- Contestants are welcome to mingle and enjoy the festivities. You are not required to remain at your station for the entire event.
- Please follow any event-day instructions provided by Dodie's staff.
Most importantly, have fun, enjoy the friendly competition, and help us make a difference for Givingmas!
GOT THE ROUX-LES DOWN?
Now it's time to get cooking! Complete the contestant registration form to request your spot. Remember, only 17 entries are available, and registration is confirmed after payment.
Register for the Cook-OffREADY, SET, ROUX!
Think your gumbo deserves a spot in the competition? Complete the registration form below to request your entry into Dodie's 2nd Annual Gumbo Cook-Off!
THE WHERE & WHEN
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Event: 1:00–4:00 PM
Contestant check-in: 12:00 PM
Ready to serve: 12:45 PM
Dodie's Cajun Diner at The Harbor
2067 Summer Lee Dr., Suite 115
Rockwall, TX 75032
Free self-parking and validated valet available.
Dan Keils, General Manager
972-771-0004
dodies@ffamgt.com