The best Cajun style chefs and recipes will be featured within the Gumbo Festival today at CoastAL Restaurant in Orange Beach. The annual event takes place at the beachfront location and twenty culinary teams are registered to compete. A few of the "tasting tickets" were still available at the time of publishing this article but CoastAL management stated that "there are only a few" remaining. The festival kicks off at 11am. Tickets are available HERE.

Prizes awarded from the judge’s panel are set at $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The People’s Choice winner will receive $500 and a trophy. Each guest admission includes one vote in the People’s Choice category. The team with the most votes will be crowned the People’s Choice Champion.

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A portion of every ticket will support a local scholarship. Event organizers said $5 from each ticket will fund a scholarship for a Baldwin County student. The scholarship targets a student pursuing a career in hospitality.

“Last year’s Gumbo Fest was such an incredible day of food, fun, and community,” said Tiffany Hammock, Marketing Manager at CoastAL Orange Beach. She said the team is excited to bring it back this year. Hammock added that proceeds will help support the future of hospitality in Baldwin County.

Gumbo, a stew rich in history and cultural significance, dates back to 18th century Louisiana, where it emerged as a blend of West African, Native American, French, Spanish, and German culinary traditions. Made with ingredients such as seafood, andouille sausage, the "holy trinity" of vegetables (onions, bell peppers, and celery), and often thickened with okra or roux, gumbo has long been a symbol of Southern heritage.

CoastAL Orange Beach features a family-friendly dining area and the CoastAL Beach Bar. It also includes retail shopping at the CoastAL Store. Organizers highlighted sunset views and easy beach access.