About this Event
Registration update!!
We have reach full capacity for the main area!
Effective immediately, all new registrations will be assigned to the adjacent Splash Pad parking area.
Due to the tremendous support and growing participation in the Battle for the Paddle, the main parking lot has reached full capacity. We are incredibly grateful for the continued enthusiasm shown by our teams, sponsors, and supporters.
Thank you for helping make Battle for the Paddle bigger and better each year.
Sponsorship Update!!
The United Way of St. Charles greatly appreciates the continued support of the Battle for the Paddle. Due to production deadlines, sponsor banners have already been sent to print. However, we remain committed to recognizing our supporters, and announcements acknowledging sponsorships will continue to be made throughout the event.
Can You Cook the Best Jambalaya, Pastalaya, or Gumbo Around?
Come put your reputation to the test at one of the largest cooking competitions in South Louisiana!
Join us for an exciting, family-friendly event where bragging rights, prize paddles, and serious hometown pride are on the line.
Event Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities Available
See sponsorship details below.
EVENT DETAILS
📅 When: Thursday, October 1, 2026
📍 Where:
Edward A. Dufresne Community Center
274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway
Luling, Louisiana
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Everyone is welcome!
• Anyone can register a cooking team
• The public is invited to attend, enjoy the food, and cheer on competitors
TEAM REGISTRATION
Early Registration Fee: $175.00 per team
• Includes 4 entry bracelets per paid team
• Additional bracelets available for purchase
Registration increases to $200.00 per team after September 18, 2026
📞 To register by phone: Call 985-331-9063
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
“Grand Pot Sponsor” – $2,500 and Above
• Company logo displayed prominently on the stage banner
• Company name announced on stage during the event
• Personalized sponsor paddle awarded at the event
• Two (2) personalized social media recognition posts
“Big Pot Sponsor” – $1,500 and Above
• Company logo displayed prominently on the stage banner
• Company name announced on stage during the event
• Two (2) personalized social media recognition posts
“Little Pot Sponsor” – $500 to $1,500
• Company name displayed on sponsor banner
• Company name announced on stage
• Group “Thank You” post on social media
“In-Kind Sponsor” – $2,500 and Above
• Company logo displayed on stage banner
• Company name announced on stage
• Group “Thank You” post on social media
“In-Kind Sponsor” – $500 to $2,500
• Company name displayed on sponsor banner
• Company name announced on stage
• Group “Thank You” post on social media
COOKING SPACE INFORMATION
Due to the continued growth and success of this event, cooking space is limited and assigned based on the number of teams registered together.
• 1–2 teams: 10’ wide × 20’ deep
• 3–4 teams: 20’ wide × 20’ deep
• 5 or more teams: 30’ wide × up to 30’ deep
Additional cooking space may be purchased to accommodate larger tents.
⚠️ Please Note: Cooking trailers cannot be accommodated within assigned cooking areas due to space limitations. Thank you for your understanding.
ENTERTAINMENT
🎶 Live Music starts at 5:30 PM
• DJ music during cooking and before the band takes the stage
This is a fun, family-friendly event welcoming families, businesses, and industry teams from across the region to compete for top honors!
AWARDS & PRIZES
🏆 1st Place Winners (Jambalaya, Gumbo, & Pastalaya)
• Receive the Large Prize Paddle for one year
• Free team entry into the following year’s event
🥇🥈🥉 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Teams
• Awarded in both Judge’s Division and People’s Choice
• Receive official prize paddles
COOK-OFF RULES & GUIDELINES
• Teams must register and pay by the end of the Early Registration period to receive souvenir gifts.
• Double pots are permitted: one pot designated for judging and one pot for extra food, if desired.
– Judging pots must be a minimum of ten (10) gallons.
– Teams must provide their own water for cooking purposes.
• Approved meats: Beef, chicken, turkey, pork, and sausage (any combination).
– All meats must be boneless.
– No wild game or seafood is allowed.
• Gumbo Division:
– Rice must be included when serving the public.
– Rice will not be submitted to judges.
– Rice may be pre-cooked prior to the event.
• All cooking must take place on-site at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling on the day of the event.
• No pre-cooking of any ingredients, including roux, is allowed.
– Exceptions: Smoked meats and gumbo rice.
– Meat may be seasoned ahead of time.
• Cooking of the entry dish may not begin before 10:00 AM, or until officially announced.
– Cooking of extra items or side dishes may begin at any time.
• Judging will begin as early as 3:00 PM.
– Each team will receive a specific delivery time for judging on the day of the event.
SERVING & EVENT DETAILS
• Serving to the public may begin at 3:00 PM when the gates open.
– Bowls, spoons, and napkins will be provided.
• Teams must supply all cooking and cleaning equipment, including but not limited to:
– Cooking supplies
– Serving utensils
– Tents, tables, chairs
– Fire extinguishers
(Plan as if you were tailgating.)
• Water, soft drinks, and beer will be available for purchase after 3:00 PM.
– Teams should provide their own beverages prior to 3:00 PM.
– No glass bottles allowed.
TEAM ACCESS & CLEAN-UP
• Each paid registration includes four (4) entry bracelets.
– Additional helpers must purchase extra bracelets or pay gate admission.
– Extra bracelets may be purchased during team registration.
• To accommodate late event attendees, food should not be packaged before 7:30 PM.
– Teams wishing to begin early cleanup should use disposable aluminum pans (provided by the team).
– Removing packaged food from the site before the event ends is strongly discouraged.
• For safety reasons, vehicles will not be permitted to enter or exit the setup area until on-duty deputies determine safe passage.
– No exceptions.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
• United Way of St. Charles and this event are apolitical.
– Elected officials and political candidates are kindly asked not to distribute promotional items at the event.
EVENT TIMELINE
Day Prior to the Event
• Team tents and cooking equipment may be set up after 12:00 PM (noon)
• Overnight security will be present at all times
Day of the Event
6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Team Setup & Load-In
10:00 AM
Contestants Begin Cooking
3:00 PM
• Gates Open to the Public
• Judges Arrive
• Serving to the Public Begins
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Judging Period
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Live Music Performance
6:30 PM
People’s Choice Voting Ends
7:30 PM
• Awards Ceremony & People’s Choice Announcement
• Event Concludes Immediately Following Awards
7:30 PM – Until Complete
Clean-Up & Breakdown
Day After the Event
• Overnight security will again be present at all times
• All team tents and cooking equipment must be removed by 12:00 PM (noon)
Event venue & nearby stays
Edward A. Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.