Dodie's FIRST EVER Gumbo Cook Off 2025

Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor Announces First Ever Gumbo Cook-Off Benefiting Givingmas

ROCKWALL, TX (Sept. 2025) – Get ready to stir the pot, North Texas! Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor (2067 Summer Lee Drive in Rockwall) is spicing things up with its First Ever Gumbo Cook-Off, set for 2–6 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2025. This flavorful showdown will benefit Givingmas, a local nonprofit that walks alongside families as they overcome barriers and build lasting stability.

The event invites home cooks, foodies, and gumbo lovers of all kinds to join the competition or simply come hungry to taste, vote, and support a worthy cause.

All entries will be numbered for impartial judging. A panel of judges will crown the Judge’s Choice Winner, while attendees will help determine the People’s Choice Winner by purchasing a spoon and ballot for $10 each (multiple spoons may be purchased for additional votes). Both categories come with cash prizes.

Public Participation

Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the event. Guests can sample a wide variety of gumbos, cast their ballots, and cheer on their favorite chefs—all while helping raise funds for Givingmas. Spoons and ballots will be sold at the door, and winners will be announced before 6 p.m.

“Gumbo is the ultimate comfort food, and there’s no better way to bring the community together than by gathering around a pot of something warm, spicy, and made with love,” said Dan Keils, Dodie’s managing partner. “We’re thrilled to host this first-time event at The Harbor and proud to support Givingmas in the process.”

• Event Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
• Event Time: 2-6pm (set-up 1-1:30pm; 1:45pm cut-off)
• Event Location: Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor in Rockwall, TX
• Maximum # of entries: 28
• Entry fee: $35 advance/$40 door

• Your gumbo must be prepared at home and arrive at Dodie’s in a crock pot or other warming device between 1 and 1:30PM on Sunday, Nov 9. There is a 1:45PM cut-off for set-up and late arrivals. Event begins at 2.
• All gumbo entries are “Anything Goes” (any style, any ingredients).
• Please bring a large serving utensil (some may be provided, but just in case).
• Please bring an extension cord (may or may not be needed, depending on your station).
• You may bring add-ons as desired, including rice, hot sauce, etc. provided everything fits within your allocated space.
• Your gumbo entry (crock pot, large serving utensil, and any add-ons) must fit within your designated station area of approximately 2-4 square feet. Ramekins will be provided and must also fit within the allocated space. Contestants will be utilizing shared tables.
• All entries will be assigned a number for impartial judging.
• Contestants may interact with voters or judges if desired or choose not to be present at their station.
• People’s Choice Judging is available for anyone that buys a spoon and a ballot to participate at Dodie’s on this day. People can buy multiple spoons/ballots at $10 each. Winner will receive a cash prize based upon popular vote. Multiple spoons may be purchased by one individual. Spoons are sold at the door.
• A panel of judges will be tasting all gumbo entries and awarding a cash prize for Judges Choice.
• Judges will evaluate at 2:30-3PM, People’s Choice Voting at 5:30PM. Votes will be counted and the results announced before 6:00 p.m

• Bring gumbo in a crock pot to Dodie’s Nov 9, 1–1:30 PM (cutoff 1:45). Event starts at 2.
• Anything goes—any style or ingredients.
• Bring: big serving spoon, extension cord (just in case), and optional add-ons (rice, hot sauce, etc.).
• Your setup must fit in a 2–4 sq. ft. station. Ramekins provided.
• Entries are numbered for blind judging. Stay at your station if you want, but not required.
• Judging:
• • Panel judges taste 2:30–3 PM → cash prize.
  • People’s Choice: spoons/ballots $10 each (multiple allowed), voting at 5:30 PM → cash prize.
• Winners announced by 6 PM.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Dodie's Rockwall, 2167 Summer Lee Drive Suite 115, Rockwall, United States