Finally, a boudin festival makes its debut in downtown Lafayette.
Rocky Sonnier at Bayou Boudin & Cracklin
photo by Terri Fensel
When it comes to boudin, don’t ask what’s in it. It’s all good. The only thing missing has been a boudin festival in Lafayette, and that’s about to change. From the guys who brought you boudinlink.com, the Web site that rates (and irritates) boudin makers from the Texas border to the Mississippi River and parts beyond, comes the Boudin Cook-Off, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Coach T and Dr. C, aka high school football coach Noland Theriot and UL professor Bob Carricker, are the merry linksters behind the event.
The Linksters have lined up the elite of sausage makers to compete for best boudin in Acadiana. The Best Stop, Don’s Specialty Meats, Bourque’s Superstore in Port Barre, Billeaud’s in Broussard, NuNu’s from Youngsville, Bayou Boudin and Cracklin in Breaux Bridge and Tiny Prudhomme’s House of Meat are just some of the contenders to attempt to settle once and for all where to buy the best boudin. Yes, there will be a panel of experts attempting to hone in on the finest combination of flavor, rice and moisture that constitutes the balance of good boudin. But all you professional Saturday morning boudin road trippers will get an opportunity to vote for your favorite as well in the People’s Choice award.
There will also be music, a Cajun microwave demonstration, free tastes of cochon de lait, a Pin the Tail on the Pig contest for kiddies and even a boudin toss. And for those with no boundries, ante up for the boudin eating contest, if you dare.
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The Inaugural Boudin Cook-Off takes place on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Parc Sans Souci in downtown Lafayette. Boudin tastings begin at 10 a.m., with 50 cent samples. The boudin-eating contest starts at noon. Awards will be announced at 3:30 p.m. Visit www.boudincookoff.com for more information._