Sandestin Gumbo Festival

02/25/2026

A few more behind the scenes 📸📸📸
We’re not trying to roux-manticize it… but our hearts are full. ❤️🥣

From our small (but mighty) office team behind the Sandestin Gumbo Festival — THANK YOU for bringing the heat! 🔥

It takes months of stirring, simmering, scheduling, a big stock pot to pull this off. But seeing everyone gathered at The Village of Baytowne Wharf made it all worth it. Y’all didn’t just show up… you showed OUT and seasoned the weekend to perfection.

To our chefs who kept things spicy, our longtime teams who always bring the flavor, our new participants who jumped right in, and every guest who came hungry and left happy — you’re the secret ingredient!

We’re beyond grateful. Thanks for making this year unbe-ROUX-lievable. 😉

- Your Village Team

02/24/2026

What an unforgettable weekend at the Sandestin Gumbo Festival! 🦐🔥

To every chef who stirred the pot, every sponsor who believed in us, every volunteer who worked tirelessly, every vendor who brought the flavor, and every single guest who came hungry and ready to celebrate — THANK YOU. You showed up, you showed out, and you reminded us why this festival has become such a beloved Gulf Coast tradition.

From the first ladle poured to the final vote cast, the energy was unmatched. The music, the laughter, the competition, the community — it all came together in the most incredible way. Seeing longtime participants return year after year alongside exciting new faces made this year especially meaningful.

Because of you, the spirit of the festival continues to grow, and together we’re making an impact far beyond the bowls of gumbo. We are beyond grateful for this community and already counting down to doing it all again next year. 💛

We have our Epic Photo Link pinned at the top of our page, and photos are loaded into Albums... Please follow along The Village of Baytowne Wharf for our Spring and Summer Events, including the beloved Sandestin Wine Festival Grand Tastings 🍷🥂 . Thanks for helping us !

- Your Village Team

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02/23/2026

The 37th Annual was another incredible success! We’re so grateful for every opportunity to share the Gumbo Love. 💛

🥇 1st Place – People’s Choice Gumbo
🥇 1st Place – Best Bloody Mary at the Beach
🏅 4th Place – 5 Years and Under Gumbo

Huge thanks to everyone who came out and supported us! If you missed Gumbo Fest, you can still get your fix - Come by the restaurant and try our award‑winning gumbo and signature Bloody Mary!

02/23/2026

What a crowd we had!! We are loving your pics and videos, please DM us if we can share!

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02/23/2026

02/23/2026

❤️ 🌾

02/23/2026

🏆🔥 WINNERS ANNOUNCED! 🔥🏆

37th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival at The Village of Baytowne Wharf

What an unforgettable weekend of flavor, fun, and fierce competition! After thousands of tastes, sips, and votes… here are your OFFICIAL 2026 champions:

🥄 People’s Choice Gumbo
🥇 1st – Lulu’s Destin
🥈 2nd – Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Misfits

🍅 People’s Choice Bloody Marys
🥇 1st – Lulu’s Destin
🥈 2nd – Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Café Nola

🏅 Non-Restaurant Category
🥇 1st – Misfits
🥈 2nd – Russell Landscape

🇺🇸 Veteran Category
🔔 Honorable Mention – The Village Door
🥇 1st – Slick Lips
🥈 2nd – Marina Bar and Grill
🥉 3rd – Café Nola
💫 4th – Hurricane Oyster Bar + Grill

🌟 5 Years & Under Category
🔔 Honorable Mention – Calypso Café Embassy Suites
🥇 1st – Hilton Sandestin
🥈 TIE – 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill & Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Swiftly Catered
💫 4th – Lulu’s Destin

🎉 Special Awards
🏆 Best New Participant – Hilton Sandestin
📻 JVC Broadcasting Award – Slick Lips
🎨 Best Display – Hilton Sandestin

Congratulations to all of our incredible chefs, bartenders, teams, and participants who brought the heat and the flavor this year! And to everyone who came out to taste, sip, vote, and celebrate — YOU are what makes this festival the Gulf Coast’s favorite winter food tradition. Already counting down to year 38… 🥘🔥

02/23/2026

Who had a great time this weekend? We are loving all the pics + videos!! Tag us

Send a message to learn more

02/22/2026

🏆🔥 WINNERS ANNOUNCED! 🔥🏆

37th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival at The Village of Baytowne Wharf!

What an unforgettable weekend of flavor, fun, and fierce competition! After thousands of tastes, sips, and votes… here are your OFFICIAL 2026 champions:

🥄 People’s Choice Gumbo
🥇 1st – Lulu's Destin
🥈 2nd – Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Misfits

🍅 People’s Choice Bloody Marys
🥇 1st – Lulu's Destin
🥈 2nd – Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Café Nola

🏅 Non-Restaurant Category
🥇 1st – Misfits
🥈 2nd – Russell Landscape

🇺🇸 Veteran Category
⭐️ Honorable Mention – The Village Door
🥇 1st – Slick Lips
🥈 2nd – Marina Bar and Grill
🥉 3rd – Café Nola
🦪 4th – Hurricane Oyster Bar + Grill

🌟 5 Years & Under Category
⭐️ Honorable Mention – Calypso Café Embassy Suites
🥇 1st – Hilton Sandestin
🥈 2nd TIE – 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill & Ruby Slipper
🥉 3rd – Swiftly Catered
🍹 4th – Lulu's Destin

🎉 Special Awards
🏆 Best New Participant – Hilton Sandestin
📻 JVC Broadcasting Award – Slick Lips
🎨 Best Display – Hilton Sandestin

Congratulations to all of our incredible chefs, bartenders, teams, and participants who brought the heat and the flavor this year! And to everyone who came out to taste, sip, vote, and celebrate - YOU are what makes this festival the Gulf Coast’s favorite winter food tradition. Already counting down to year 38… 🥘🔥

We will continue posting stories, sharing your moments and professional photos will be loaded soon!! Thank you for an Epic Gumbo Festival!!

02/22/2026

🦐🍅🥘📸📸📸 VIEW your 2026 pics here:

https://epicphotoco.smugmug.com/022126-Baytowne-Gumbo-Festival/i-8DcThkg

This photo hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.