Crowds show out in Mexico Beach for silver anniversary cook-off
What started as a chilly, overcast day, cleared just in time for the 25th annual Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off Saturday.
Large crowds piled in for the event, hosted at Boat Ramp Park in Mexico Beach and for just $1, patrons got to enjoy a large variety of gumbos and Brunswick stews.
This year’s competition was divided into two categories, one for gumbo and the other for Brunswick stew. Many teams traveled from near and far to compete. BBQ Monsters, which won first place in the gumbo division and second for Brunswick stew, traveled down from Perry, Georgia to take part in the festivities.
2025 Winners
Gumbo
1st) BBQ Monsters
2nd) Metcalf Cork & Roux Crew
3rd) Grazen Goat
Brunswick Stew
1st) Brian Marshall & Crew
2nd) BBQ Monsters
3rd) Mike’s Stew & Brew Crew
Best Decorated: Geaux Geaux Girls Gumbo
Best Team Spirit: Lookout Lounge
In addition to the delicious gumbos and stews, hot dogs, desserts, as well as beer and wine were available to the public. Over 20 local vendors gathered to offer a variety of their products ranging from art to authentic Tupelo honey.
Crowds also got to enjoy a live performance from Stainless Steel, a two-member band from Panama City, known for their versatility in music.
The overwhelming support from communities resulted in the event quickly selling out, with all funds raised going to support Mexico Beach’s 4th of July fireworks show.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.