The savory aroma of Cajun cooking will fill the streets of downtown Baton Rouge tonight when United Way’s 23rd annual Jambalaya Jam takes over Third Street, filling the area will live music and Cajun food from 5 to 8 p.m.
With 40 different teams participating, the streets will be filled with competitors trying to make the best jambalaya, said Emily Guidroz, director of relationship development for United Way-Baton Rouge.
“The Jambalaya Jam is the largest jambalaya cook-off in the state,” Guidroz said. “The sidewalk areas will be littered with tents for the teams where they will be cooking the jambalaya.”
This is the first time the Jambalaya Jam is not at the River Center, Guidroz said.
“Since this is the 23-year anniversary, we were looking to reinvent the Jambalaya Jam,” Guidroz said. “This is the first time we are doing this on Third Street in the evening.”
Live band participation will help the event be successful, said Keith Schultz, lead guitarist of the 484 South Band, which will perform at the event.
“I think it’s always good to have live music,” Schultz said. “It gives you an extra pull [for patrons], depending on the band and the following.”
Other musicians that will be at Jambalaya Jam include Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk House at Red Star, 6 Pack Deep at The Roux House, Kaitlyn Courville at The Office and DJ Stevie P at Punchers.
The event is a great opportunity for students to learn about the wonders of downtown, said Katie Prechter, special events coordinator for The Roux House.
“Everybody loves jambalaya and live music, and this event has a kind of Jazz Fest feel to it,” Prechter said. “The locations are nice, and it will be great exposure for the venues on Third Street.”
Some students, like biology freshman Callie Comstock, are excited the event is downtown.
“I love downtown. I love how it feels like a real city,” Comstock said. “You probably get to meet a lot of people, and the food should be great.”
There are four purchasing options for this event, including plate dinner, all-you-can-eat, Third Street Sampler and VIP ticket.
“For $10 you can do the ‘all-you-can-eat’ option and get as much jambalaya from any [participant],” Guidroz said. “The Third Street Sampler and VIP ticket are different because we are working with nine bars to do an alcoholic drink tasting also. We want the ticket purchaser to have a great experience.”
The event is for all ages, Guidroz said.
Some options were made with students in mind, Schultz said.
“When I was a student, I would look for good food deals,” Schultz said. “Some of the [pricing] options make it easy on the college budget, and the food is great, so you can’t complain.”
The event will make for a great alternative Thursday night for students, Prechter said.
“Most [students] stay around campus, and lots of people around downtown are young professionals,” Prechter said. “The combination of food and live music makes this an event students will not want to miss.”
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Contact Kittu Pannu at [email protected]