Standing by a steaming potful of brown jambalaya, Kristian Garic studied the savory Cajun dish and smiled.
“It’s obviously for a great cause,” said the Saints sideline reporter who helped judge the gumbo and jambalaya entries for the Norco Manufacturing Complex (NMC) contestants during the company’s United Way Tailgating Party last Thursday. “We have great food, a great cause and great people.”
Garic along with former LSU Tiger and radio show host T-Bob Hebert, state Sen. Gary Smith and NMC retiree Ronnie “Teddy Bear” Trosclair Sr. helped decide which NMC teams go to the United Way of St. Charles’ Battle for the Paddle competition next month. Last year’s Battle for the Paddle drew 123 teams, a record-breaking 7,000 visitors and raised more than $40,000 for the nonprofit organization.
Boasting of having “an experienced palette” that’s been to 50 or more cook-offs, Garic said he looks for well-spiced food, but not too hot. It’s that novel touch to the dish that gets his attention and one that sends him to the team asking for their secret.
This was Hebert’s second UW cook-off and he welcomed the opportunity to come back.
“I just go by my gut,” he said of his judging technique for other cook-offs that included chili, spaghetti and crawfish. “I don’t have an advanced palette, but if it tastes good to me – I’m into it.”
Hebert also enjoyed the community aspect of the event.
“It’s a great way to bring everyone together over delicious food,” he said.
Nearby, the teams were wrapping up their dishes and lining up samples for the judges.
Members of the team “Good to the Graton” were stirring their cast iron black pot for the win.
“It’s the famous firehouse jambalaya,” team member Jamie Latiolais said of a recipe that helped the team win second place at last year’s Battle for the Paddle.
The “I’m good for whatever” team also had cooked up an old family recipe, although they all contributed to the dish.
Team member Lyle Bourgeois was raring to go, saying, “We’ve got a good shot.”
But, even though a win would be sweet for this team’s first UW competition, Bourgeois said the most important aspect of why they’re doing this is representing the United Way and helping to give back to the community.
“We just want to thank everybody who showed up to help,” he said.
By now, the teams had moved to tables in the NMC firehouse and were serving up gumbo and jambalaya to an estimated 500 company employees with still more food being brought to hundreds more workers on shifts at the 850-acre complex.
NMC General Manager Don Weaver praised the event as an opportunity to support the United Way, compete in the Battle for the Paddle, as well as provide an event for employees.
Last year, the NMC generated $664,000 for UW, a figure that Weaver said he hopes to grow this year to $1 million.
The cook-off is one of many events, including a golf tournament, that NMC holds as UW fundraisers, he said, adding, “It’s a lot of fun.”
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