NEW IBERIA, La.
--- Iberia Chamber of Commerce (GICC) has waited as long as possible to make a determination about the 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff and has come to the decision to postpone the event until 2021.
They said they know the community, as well as the chamber, were looking forward to the 31st year of sharing the best gumbo in the world this October, but after thorough discussion at a special meeting of the board of directors, the board has voted against hosting the on-site event this year.
“We all love gumbo and the gumbo event, but when it came to the final decision the board vote was about doing everything the chamber can, as a leading organization, to protect our greatest asset which is our people," reported Wendell Verret, first vice-chair/gumbo event chair. "The chamber’s work is dedicated to creating the best quality of life possible. Seeing Iberia Parish and regional COVID-19 cases increasing again, not moving into
Phase III of the state’s re-opening plan are all indicators that hosting such a large event is not in the best interest of our residents and visitors."
On a lighter note, plans are underway to offer a virtual gumbo experience which will take gumbo to the world, since the world cannot come to Iberia Parish this year. The proposed event is inevitably a marketing strategy for the return of the World Championship Gumbo CookOff on October 9-10, 2021, and for Iberia Parish businesses and attractions.
About the Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for the local business community since 1939. Led by a twenty-one-member volunteer board of directors, who direct the Chamber’s mission of improving the business environment so our members grow and prosper, the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce contributes to the economic prosperity of the community, which
ultimately enhances quality of life.
For more information, contact Janet Faulk-Gonzales, Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce's president/CEO at
janet@iberiachamber.org or (337) 364-1836, and visit the gumbo cookoff's
website and
Facebook for updates.
###
