Big-Easy Flavor

February 14, 2013 Savor No comments

Diners enjoy taste-testing the five gumbos offered at the Oak Island Mardi Gras by the Sea Festival gumbo cook-off. Photo by Bethany Turner

On Saturday, February 9th, the town of Oak Island burst with New Orleans flavor as the second annual Oak Island Mardi Gras by the Sea Festival gumbo cook-off began boiling. Residents and visitors ushered into the Baja Californian restaurant Flying Fish Cafe (705 Ocean Dr.). The eatery, attached to the Oak Island Pier, offers diners a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Once on the screened-in porch, folks encountered five types of gumbo—ranging from the brothy to nearly ceviche-style in texture, and one even offered a delicious, dark-roux twist. The public voted on their favorites, scoring 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest), while professional foodie judges also chimed in.

“Attendance was way beyond what we anticipated, and unfortunately we ran out of gumbo after serving well over 100 people,” Raymond Hitney, publicity chair for the Oak Island Business Alliance, details. “The weather for the day was magnificent, the sea was a fabulous backdrop for the event, and the Zydeco music added to the ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler‘—or ‘Let the good times roll.'”

The chefs, two professional and three non-professional, serve up their gumbo options in hopes of taking home the first-place prize. Photo by Bethany Turner

Hitney affirms that all the gumbos received awards, while Turtle Island Restaurant garnered the People’s Choice Award. Turtle Island also ran away with first place in the professional division, while Brad Ball—chef of the Flying Fish Cafe—took second.

In the non-professional division, Hitney participated and earned first-place bragging rights. Frank Caruso was awarded second, and Jamie Hobb received third-place nods.

“We’re already planning a bigger event for next year’s Mardi Gras by the Sea,” Hitney confirms, “so stay tuned.”