There’s an urban myth that needs dispelling. There are no cats, dogs, armadillos, nutria, roadkill, coydog, no loupgarou, no feu follet in boudin. I don’t think. But frankly, no contestant in the 2nd annual Boudin Cookoff will give away his or her secret recipe anyway. Saturday, Parc Sans Souci is the location for the throwdown — 20 teams competing for best boudin in Acadiana, which means the best boudin on earth.
Boudinlinkster Dr. Bob Carriker organized this speciality festival last year, and it was a hit from the get-go. It’s all about eating, from the sides, like cochon de lait, to the monster boudin gobbling contest. If you think folks aren’t serious about their boudin, check this out: Carriker emailed Grand Coteau native Ben Trant, who won the boudin eating contest (five links in under 60 seconds), to see if he was going to make it to this years festival. Trant’s reply: “You better believe it. I am in Helena, Montana tonight, 450 miles into my 2,500 mile biking trip from Canada to Mexico down the continental divide. The timing of the trip was based on making it back to defend my title. However, I do not expect the competition to be anymore impressive than last year.”
Maybe the eating competition wasn’t impressive to Trant, but (and right here I have to disclose that I am one of the boudin cook-off judges, the rest of the tasting krewe are Chef Pat Mould, Lorin Gaudin, a culinary personality from New Orleans, Cajun Karl, Barry Ancelet and Megan Schiering, from KATC), the boudin itself is stellar. Where else can you compare the best boudin in Acadiana, side by side, find your favorite, and finally face down your running buddy, who JUST DOESN’T GET IT. Boudin is serious. Don’t miss this fest.
Here’s the list of competitors: Babineaux’s Slaghterhouse, Breaux Bridge Bayou Boudin and Cracklin, Breaux Bridge Best Stop Supermarket, Scott Big Mamou Cajun Beef Jerky, Mamou Billeaud’s Meat and Grocery, Broussard Chadeaux’s Sausage Kitchen, Kinder Chops Specialty Meats, Broussard Don’s Specialty Meats, Scott Early’s Cajun Supermarket, Scott Janise’s Supermarket, Sunset Johnson’s Boucaniere, Lafayette Kelly’s Meat Block, Opelousas Krewe of Lou, New Iberia Mike’s Country Corner, Duson Napoleon Ave. Meat Market, Sunset NuNu’s Fresh Market, Youngsville The Sausage Link, Sulphur Shawn’s Specialty Meats, Delcambre T-Boy’s Boudin and Cracklin, Mamou Tiny Prudhomme’s House of Meat, Broussard
Boudin Cook-Off. Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Downtown Lafayette, Parc Sans Souci. Sample boudin, games and boudin toss, people’s choice award, live music with the Specklers and Thomas “Big Hat” Fields. More info online here.