City of Zachary – Downtown Live Committee

The City of Zachary celebrated an exciting new tradition on Saturday, December 6th, as the Downtown Live Committee hosted the 1st Annual Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off immediately following the Zachary Christmas Parade. The event proved to be an overwhelming success, bringing families, friends, and food enthusiasts together in the heart of Downtown Zachary.

Following the parade, attendees visited Old Town Hall and the City Annex to sample a variety of flavorful dishes prepared by local teams. With a $5 sampling wristband, guests were able to taste every pot and cast their vote for their favorite. Entries were judged on Presentation, Aroma, Texture, and Taste, with all proceeds benefitting Downtown Live at the Gazebo and future free community concerts.

Adding to the excitement, visitors were also invited to select the Best Decorated Booth, enhancing the festive atmosphere with creativity and community spirit. The welcoming setup—complete with tables, chairs, and holiday charm—helped create a warm and inviting space for residents to gather and enjoy the day.

The Zachary Downtown Live Committee extends sincere appreciation to everyone who came out to support this inaugural event. Paired with the Farmers Market, the cook-off brought something special to parade day, giving families a reason to come early and stay late. The committee remains committed to fostering community connection while celebrating Zachary’s small-town charm.

“As long as the community continues to enjoy this friendly competition, we will keep working to grow it bigger and better each year,” the committee shared.

🏆 2025 Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off Results

1st Place Champion (First picture) 
🥇 Country Boys Roux
Team Captain: Danton Rucker
Dish: Turkey Sauce Picante

Runner-Up (Fourth picture) 
🥈 Hebert’s Cast Iron Crew
Team Captain: Chad Hebert
Dish: Taco Soup

Best Booth Presentation (Second picture - Santa Suit) 
🎨 Inferneaux
Team Captain: Chris Dear
Dish: Bow Tie Alaya

People’s Choice (Fourth picture) 
⭐ Hebert’s Cast Iron Crew
Team Captain: Chad Hebert
Dish: Taco Soup

The City of Zachary and the Downtown Live Committee thank all participants, volunteers, and attendees for making the 1st Annual Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!