Battle of the Paddles provides food, fun for all

With statewide cuts crippling education-related budgets, schools have to be creative to generate extra funds.

Hanson Memorial High School plans to do just that this month by providing a Cajun-style good time for lovers of gumbo, jambalaya and just plain-ole’ family fun.

The third-annual Tail-Gator Food Fest takes place Nov. 5 at Hanson Memorial High, which is in Franklin. Featured in the event is the Battle of the Paddles, which is a gumbo and jambalaya cook-off that will provide enough food to feed an Army and will crown the best Cajun dishes in the area.

“It’s a good time,” event spokesman Keith Comeaux said. “The food is absolutely delicious. I think, by far, it’s some of the best gumbo and jambalaya you can find. Last year, the judges were stumped as far as picking winners. And they even sent me back for fresh samples when they had to narrow it down. … It’s just a good, fun event.”

The main dish, so-to speak, of the event is the cooking, which pits some of the best chefs in the area against one another in a cook-off.

The chefs gather on Hanson Memorial’s front lawn beginning at 6 a.m. and spend the better part of the morning perfecting their masterpieces before the public filters in the last few hours of the morning.

“The events for the public mostly are geared to start around 10,” Comeaux said.

Those in attendance are sure to succumb to the stomach-growling aromas that will take over the school’s yard air in this well-attended event.

Each bowl of the tasty treats that’s purchased pumps money into the school for academic purposes, a worthy trade-off for a delicious meal.

“People can choose from either seafood gumbo, non-seafood gumbo, which is chicken or turkey or sausage or what have you or, of course, the jambalaya,” Comeaux said. “Currently, there are 22 teams and some teams cook more than one entry, so there will be lots and lots of food.”

Food aside, this event is an avenue for family fun for people of all ages, employing several activities that are sure to please all who attend.

“That’s something we really stress, family,” Comeaux said. “Where it’s set up is right on the school’s front lawn under some great, big live oak trees. It’s just a pretty setting. It’s an event that people always want to come back to after they’ve attended it for the first time.”

Students of Hanson Memorial will operate classic carnival games with prizes being given to the winners.

“It’s 50 cents to play and we have lots of fantastic prizes like stuffed animals and things like that,” Comeaux said.

“It’s easy to win,” he added with a laugh. “We almost give them away.”

Arts and crafts booths, a silent auction and a one-mile run are also a part of the race.

Be sure to also have the kiddies check out the Games 2 You section of the grounds, which is sure to be a hit for any child looking to make a couple new friends.

“They are an outfit that brings laser tag and they also have a video game trailer,” Comeaux said. “The kids will be able to go in and play Xbox, Playstation 3 and just different things like that.”

Comeaux said a horseshoe-pitching tournament is also set to roll the day of the event, a part of the cook-off that has grown in recent years.

“You can sign up the day of the event and pitch in the tournament,” Comeaux said. “That’s a part of this that’s really taken off a bit in the past couple of years.”

But make no bones about it, the highlight of the day is the food and how delicious it is.

Comeaux said the judges are a blend of locals, chefs and even a few media personalities from around the area.

They will have their hands full to decide a winner, so come on out and give them a hand and fill up your bellies for a good cause.

Football fans, have no fear. The event wraps up in plenty of time for everyone to be home well before the anticipated LSU and Alabama game.

“We wrap it up at 4, so those LSU fans will have plenty of time to get home to watch the big game,” Comeaux said with a laugh. “Come get a full belly with us, it’s like tailgating for the game. Have lots of food and just have a great time. We have plenty of games, activities … just a full day of fun. We’ve never had a problem with this event. We want everyone to come out and share it with us.”