The 34th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etoufee Cook-Off has wrapped up in Eunice.
The fun began yesterday with a dance. The event is hosted every year by the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and the City of Eunice.
Crawfish etouffee is judged in three categories: Amateur, Professional, and Club/Organizations. Festival-goers also vote, and there’s an award for the best decorated booth.
Most vendors were out of etouffee by noon.
Over 50 Chef’s made “their best” etouffee.
Alderman Nootsie Settler said, “Fresh tail meat. That’s the secret to what you do. And how you win it. But it takes a lot of tender care. You got to stir it. You got to cook it. If you want it to be good, you have to take time.”
Aimee Settler won last year with her Culinary Arts Class from ECTEC. Settler said, “It takes lot of love and lots of love. And butter, and garlic.”
Other chefs believe its all genetics. Nickie Toups from Eunice Manor Nursing home said, “You have to have Louisiana seasoning, Louisiana Crawfish, And you have to be Cajun. Cajuns have the best recipes.”
Although winning allows bragging rights for the best etouffee in town, Nootsie said, “This is everybody coming together.. in the city of Eunice. There are people from Canada that came here today. Many tourist…Just people coming together. Fellowship that’s all its about.”
