A Taste of Louisiana: Cooking, Community, and a Cause at LARC's Anything Over Rice Cookoff

Part 1: A Spectator's Taste of Louisiana

The smell of seafood and Cajun Spices filled the air at Acadian Village for LARC's annual Anything Over Rice Cookoff. Almost all of our Leauxcal team was there to enjoy a day filled with food, fun, and community-all for a great cause.

Nicholas Lejeune with LeJeune's Best Cajun Seasoning competed in the cookoff

We attended to support LARC's mission which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve their goals of self-sufficiency, quality of life, and self-worth. The event brings our Louisiana culture to life every year, and this one didn't disappoint!

There were 15 cooking teams divided into two categories- seafood and non-seafood - each competing for the coveted People's Choice Award and 1st through 3rd place in their divisions. For just $10, attendees could taste the entries, cast their vote, and experience some Louisiana cooking.

The cook-off grounds were alive with music, laughter, and the sound of pots stirring. Jamie Bergeron kept the crowd moving with his live Cajun music, while rows of tents showcased more than 30 local vendors, from handmade crafts to delicious local treats. Among them was Tanya Ardoin, who I had previously interviewed about her Crawville book series. It was great to see people stopping at her tent and helping with her mission to keep Cajun French alive.

Fab Farms a local vendor

One of my favorite things about the day was seeing so many familiar faces from Louisiana's growing content community. Farm to Fire Louisiana, Lejeune's Best Cajun Seasoning, Brittany Khamille, Louisiana Roots 337, Corey Ledoux, Hymel's Kajun Kitchen, and The Real Blind Cajun Cook were all there cooking, judging, or just supporting the cause. The event truly showed what community looks like when Louisiana creators come together!

And we can’t forget about our Leauxcal creators who served as judges this year — Whatcha Cookin’ Gabby, BBQ Bran, and Kasey P — they had the tough (but tasty!) job of sampling it all and choosing the winners.

Normally, Rusty Noel hosts the event, but this year he had to miss it due to an incredible, last-minute opportunity — being invited to compete in a major cooking competition in Destin, Florida! I’ll be sharing more about that in a separate article because that’s a huge accomplishment and well-deserved recognition.

Rusty told me it was a hard decision to miss this event since LARC is a cause so close to his heart, but thankfully Cooking with Uncle J stepped in and did an amazing job hosting. Everyone was truly grateful that he was able to jump in at the last minute and keep the spirit of the event alive.

Cooking with Uncle J presenting award to the cooking team Heath's South Central Louisiana Blends

From savory gumbos to creative rice dishes, the variety and talent on display was incredible. It wasn't just about who could cook the best dish, it was about celebrating Louisiana culture, giving back, and supporting an organization that's changing lives every day.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this story, where Kasey P will take, ya'll behind the scenes from the judges table and share what it was like to sample and score the anything over rice creations.