As the bustle of tourist season winds down, a beloved cold-weather tradition is warming up: the fifth annual Community Gumbo Dinner, a fundraiser for the Estes Chamber of Commerce, returns tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tavern at the Legion. The evening doubles as a neighborly “Friendsgiving” and a chance to support local business advocacy before winter sets in.
“The entire community is welcome to join for this ‘Friendsgiving’ themed night of food and fellowship,” said Chamber President Colleen DePasquale. “Invite your neighbor, coworker, and their kids to partake.”
This year, the chamber opened reservations early to help manage demand and give more residents the opportunity to gather at long tables, swap stories, and savor steaming bowls of Gulf Coast comfort. Headlining the pots once again is attorney and Louisiana native Carl Robicheaux of Elkhorn Law, whose recipe has become a late-fall calling card in Estes Park.
“Making an authentic Cajun gumbo has always been a part of my life,” said Carl Robicheaux. “My father taught me how to make traditional Cajun gumbo (never tomatoes). He learned how to cook gumbo from his mother, who learned it from her mother. Dad taught me that the number one ingredient in a great gumbo is love. No measuring of other ingredients is ever needed. When love is the main ingredient, then the color, smell, and consistency tell you when your gumbo is ready to serve.”
Robicheaux and a merry band of volunteers will ladle up authentic Louisiana-style gumbo with bread and butter, while the American Legion offers a cash bar for beverages. Diners can enjoy their bowls in the hall or pre-order to bring home; families who can’t stay are encouraged to swing by for pick-up during the event.
The chamber notes that gumbo quantities are limited and online reservations close today at 3 p.m. Multiple sizes make it easy to feed yourself or a crowd: $15 for an adult dinner at the Tavern at the Legion; $7 for a children’s dinner; $15 regular to-go; $7 child to-go; and a $22 bulk to-go (24 oz.) option for those stocking the fridge.
“Once you’ve tried Carl’s homemade gumbo, it’s easy to taste why we sell out early every year,” DePasquale added. To learn more about the chamber event, click here.