
Does your boiled crawfish recipe have what it takes?
You can find out at the 2025 Pat Pitre Memorial Crawfish Cook-Off on March 29, where teams of four can compete for the title of best crawfish.
Teams can register now through Feb. 28. The $150 registration fee includes two bags of crawfish. Teams are responsible for tents, cooking equipment, sides, and other items needed for cooking.
All proceeds of the event go toward the Pat Pitre Memorial Scholarship Fund. Pitre, a former librarian at Hahnville, died of breast cancer in 2016. Her family set up the fund, which gives scholarships of around $500 to two graduating seniors.
Tickets for the cook-off are $30 for the public, $14 for kids 8 and under, and $15 for Hahnville students with a student ID. The ticket price includes all the crawfish you can eat.
The cook-off is organized by Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a one year program for students that focuses on leadership and service.
Krystn Charlie, the facilitator of the Leader Academy, said this is the first year the cook-off will be held at Monsanto Park.
“We’re hoping that with the change of venue that it really attracts more of a crowd because obviously our goal is to give out more scholarships to the kids,” she said. “Every bit of profit for this goes into that. There is no money that goes to the school for any of this.”
She said students are currently selling World’s Finest Chocolate to help fundraise for the event. Students are also registering teams for the event, collecting raffle prizes, and assembling the panel of judges for the cook-off contest. Students will also assist the teams at the cook-off, Charlie said.
Charlie said the winner of the cook-off will receive an engraved wooden paddle, and that 15 teams competed last year.
“We’re hoping to get at least 18 teams registered this year,” she said. “We’re trying to do a little bit better than last year.”
Teams can register by writing a check to Hahnville High School or paying in cash, Charlie said.
“It’s a great community event and its for our kids,” she said. “I just want everyone to come out. Register a team and come be a part of this.”