• Registration fee is $125 per team ($150 after Friday, October 30, 2026) Additional dishes may be submitted for a fee of $50 per dish; payment may be included with your registration. Registration fee is non-refundable.
• Dishes must be Louisiana-inspired; teams must prepare a minimum of 100 sample-sized servings of each dish.
• Due to space limitations, anyone paying for a team spot must cook & provide a dish for the competition.
• Registration fee includes two event T-shirts. Additional shirts can be purchased for $20 each; payment may be included with your registration. Please indicate all shirt sizes & quantities below.
• Teams shall consist of up to four members (wristbands will be provided for each); team members must be 18+ years of age to participate. Any additional person outside of the four team members must pay the $15 entry fee.
• Ticket sales will be limited to manage crowd size & comfort. Tickets can be purchased online in advance & through event day or at entry gates on event day (cash only Teams & sponsors may purchase extra wristbands from our office in advance; payment may be included with your registration. Please indicate quantity below.
• Each team will be assigned one 10'x10' space. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN TENT. Due to space limitations, tents larger than 10'x10' will not be allowed. Event grounds: West 2nd & St. Philip Streets in Downtown Thibodaux. Electricity will NOT be available.
• Each team will be provided: one table; two chairs; serving ware (dishes or bowls, utensils, & napkins); & a tablecloth. All cooking equipment, ingredients, & seasonings must be provided by teams.
• Only prep-work (e.g., cutting seasonings/vegetables & de-boning meat) may be done prior to the event; all cooking must be done on-site on event day. Any team found to have prepared their dish or components of their dish off- site will be disqualified from the competition; no exceptions!
• A receptacle will be provided on the bayou side for oil disposal.
• Judging is based on creativity, appearance of dish, & overall taste & quality. Plate presentation is not part of judging.
• Event-day instructions & details will be emailed to the contact listed on your team registration form.
• Teams may begin setting up at 9:00 AM the day of the event; no earlier & no exceptions.
• Gates open to the public at 5:00 PM & food may be served at that time. Anyone wanting to gain entry to the event space before gates open will still have to pay the entry fee.
• All dishes must be ready for judging at 5:00 PM. Further instructions will be provided on event day.
• 1st Place, 2nd Place, & 3rd Place in each category & one "Best of Show" & one "People's Choice" will be awarded.
• Registration deadline is Friday, October 30, 2026. Dish name & category are due by Monday, November 2, 2026.
In the event of cancellation by Thibodaux Main Street, your registration fee may be refunded to you, or you may choose to transfer it as a donation to our organization. Unfortunately, we cannot apply registration fees to next year's event. We appreciate your support & understanding!