Loyola-Sodexo executive chef Matthew Box won the United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s 22nd annual “Got Gumbo?” cook-off where he competed against Restaurant Revolution, Tulane-Sodexo, and other local restaurants.
The chef, who’s competed in the contest since he joined the Loyola-Sodexo team five years ago, won this year’s judges’ choice for best seafood for his seafood gumbo with Creole potato salad on March 19, 2024.
Box said it’s a basic seafood gumbo, but the key is to get the roux “nice and dark” to get a nutty flavor and rich color. However, what he believes set his dish apart this year was the substitution of potato salad instead of rice.
Besides the potato salad and crab, Box said that his winning gumbo is almost identical to the gumbo served in the Orleans Room every Friday.
The Sodexo chef, who represented Loyola Catering, also presented smoked duck and andouille gumbo with arancini in the traditional gumbo category, which he won runner-up for three years ago.
The proceeds from the competition will go toward United Way’s “gumbo of services,” which includes providing resources for low-income families, people of color, and other Louisiana residents within their region who are in need of support.
“I was super excited to win this year,” Box said.
