Chefs to cook up world-record gumbo at LSU-Alabama game

Louisiana chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto are partnering with former Alabama and Miami Dolphins nose tackle Bob Baumhower to host a fundraising event during the Nov. 5 LSU-Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa that will also attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest pot of gumbo. The “LouisiBama Gumbo Bowl” will be held on the University of Alabama campus, next to Bryant-Denny Stadium, with proceeds benefiting victims of the April 27 tornadoes that leveled portions of Tuscaloosa. Tickets for bowls of the gumbo are being sold in advance for $5, and may be purchased here. In their record-breaking attempt, the team will use a 300-year-old cast iron pot. The recipe calls for 750 pounds shrimp, 450 pounds catfish fillets, 100 pounds claw crabmeat, 50 pounds white crabmeat, 200 pounds alligator meat and 25 pounds Louisiana crawfish tail meat. Arrow Sysco Corporation of New Orleans is providing the 200 pounds diced onions, 75 pounds diced celery, 100 pounds diced green bell pepper, 150 pounds sliced okra, 50 pounds dehydrated garlic and 20 pounds butter also needed. The seafood is being donated by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board. After the gumbo simmers for three hours, the pot will be weighed via a forklift and a Guinness representative will be on hand to certify the new record. The event will also feature a gumbo cook-off between four LSU fans and four Alabama fans.