Orange Beach, AL —  The Wharf is hosting the 2014 L.A. Gumbo Festival that will take place on Main Street at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Ala. on Mother's Day weekend.  

Kicking off the weekend will be the Gumbo on the Gulf VIP Reception at Heron Pointe at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9 with celebrity Chefs  cooking up their best gumbo recipes. You don’t want to miss this event offering a one stop opportunity to taste the best gumbo in LA. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.

The LA Gumbo Festival starts the next day, Saturday May 10 at 10 a.m. Join us to witness the fierce competition as Alabamians and Louisianans vie to win the “Best Gumbo” award.  Alabama restaurateur Bob Baumhower and Louisiana Chef John Folse will orchestrate the competition among other Gumbo Masters in a gumbo cook-off and help build the World’s Largest Bowl of Gumbo at more than six feet tall.

The festival will feature live stage music and street music throughout the day and evening. The best artists from all over the Southeast will be selling their art; some will even be doing demonstrations.

According to Baumhower, a former defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Miami Dolphins, the competition will be fierce.

"Bragging rights are a big deal in these parts, and that goes for chefs, too,” Baumhower said.

Restaurateur Chef John Folse is excited about the LA vs. LA competition.

“We're all looking forward to putting on a great show for folks and feeding them some of the best gumbo they'll find anywhere. It's going to be a great weekend," Folse said.

The Festival will be at The Wharf in Orange Beach Alabama offering arts and crafts vendors, gumbo tasting and live music. Awards will be given to the gumbo favorites and the first day of the festival will close out with recognition of the World’s Largest Bowl of Gumbo and live music.

Sunday’s festival schedule will celebrate Mother’s Day with free gumbo and tea for Mama. Visit LA Gumbo Festival Facebook to join the Mama’s Cookin’ Contest. Send us a picture to post of your Mama and tell us why her cookin’ is the best in LA.

The one lucky Mama with the most likes will win a three-day stay in the Turquoise Condominium in Orange Beach, a cookin’ lesson with one of our famous chefs, gift cards to eat at any of the Aloha Hospitality Restaurants located at The Wharf and a spa package to die for. Like us and convince all your friends to like your Mama!

ABOUT THE WHARF

The Wharf in Orange Beach is a premier family entertainment destination featuring year-round shopping and dining options in addition to concerts, fishing tournaments and special events throughout the year.

The Marina at The Wharf is a 208-slip, full service, premier destination marina, located at the half-way point of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway which runs from Texas to south Florida.

The Amphitheater at The Wharf is a 9,600-seat amphitheater hosting name brand musical artists concerts year round.

The Orange Beach Event Center, operated by the City of Orange Beach is also on the property

The Wharf's Main Street area includes 24 retail shops, 10 offices, 13 restaurants and a 15-screen movie theater. Additional businesses are being added monthly. The venue is host to fishing tournaments, festivals, conventions, community and special events.

SPECTRA, The Wharf‘s Sound and Light Spectacular is a permanent installation of free, nightly family entertainment.

The Wharf, Levin’s Bend has one- to four-bedroom luxury condominiums overlooking The Marina with a private water-park.

To learn more about The Wharf at OrangeBeach and future offerings, visit alwharf.com or call 251-224-1000.