Tailgating gumbo cookoff supports tornado victims

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Cooks are making enough gumbo to feed 10,000 people in Tuscaloosa on Saturday before the football game between top-ranked LSU and No. 2 Alabama.

Chefs and restaurateurs from Louisiana and Alabama will team up for the LouisiBama Gumbo Bowl with plans to make the world's largest gumbo before the game. Bowls will be sold for $5 each, and proceeds will go to help Tuscaloosa-area charities with tornado-relief work.

The recipe calls for items including 750 pounds of shrimp; 450 pounds of catfish; 150 pounds of crabmeat; and 200 pounds alligator meat.

The Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board are helping to make both events possible by donating all of the fresh wid caught Gulf Seafood that will be used throughout the day.

Along with the world's largest pot of gumbo, there will also be a cooking competition between four LSU and Alabama fan teams. South Mobile County and Dauphin Island will be represented in the competition for the Alabama team.

The event will be held outside the Ferguson Center on the university campus. There will be a separate cooking competition for fans with judges including former Alabama cheerleader and actress Sela Ward and Alabama football great Kenny "The Snake" Stabler.

Tickets can be purchased online or on game day at the Ferguson Center.

Schedule:

• Cooking of World’s Largest Gumbo: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Weighing of kettle and announcement of world record: 11 a.m.
• Tailgate Cook-off: 11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Judging of Tailgate Cook-off: 2 – 2:30 p.m.
• World’s Largest Gumbo served: 11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m.