The Bayou Boys won the showmanship award.
The Alchemy team kept busy handing out samples.
The Team Strength members had fun at the cook-off.
Photos by Rhonda Van Pelt (click on arrows in top right of photo to see more)
Manitou Springs celebrated Carnivale in style on Saturday, Feb. 18. Starting off the morning, gumbo chefs, both amateurs and professionals, descended on Soda Springs park for the annual Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-off.
The panel of judges sampled each team’s gumbo, with the following results:
- First place amateur — Michael Lanclos (Lanclos)
- Second place amateur — Wesley Carbo (NOLA Beach Bums)
- Third place amateur — Jason Pellegrin (Dulac Cat)
- First place professional — Trinity Earle (Cajun Trinity)
- Second place professional — Dana Good (You’ll Roux the Day)
- Third place professional — Kelly Cummings (Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar)
- Showmanship winner — Paul Haas (Bayou Boys)
- People’s Choice winner — Mathew Brittain (Les Trois Couyons)
After the cook-off, the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce held the 30th annual Carnivale Parade. A crowd of around 2,000 spectators watched as the parade made its way down Manitou Avenue through the heart of downtown Manitou Springs. The Carnivale parade judges were on the lookout for groups with the Most Manitou Flair, the Best Krewe, Most Creative Krewe, and (a new category this year) Best Pet Star. Those results are as follows:
- Best Manitou Flair — Manitou Drum Circle
- Best Krewe — Krewe of Shining Celestials from LeGrande Accents Boutique
- Best Use of Theme — Team Tecate
- Best Pet Star — Dennis the Emu