This gumbo hits The Spot: How Prospect KC’s own students cooked up a prize-winning competition entry
October 26, 2023 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Gumbo Fest brought two victories for Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant and the Prospect KC.
Students from the Prospect KC serve members of the public at the 2023 Gumbo Fest competition; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Not only did the weekend event earlier this month raise money to support the Prospect KC’s mission — empowering individuals and communities through increased food access, nutrition education and culinary job training — the Prospect KC’s culinary students also took home the award for best gumbo.
“The success of this year’s festival was a testament to the incredible community spirit that surrounds us,” shared McAfee-Bryant, founder and executive director of the Prospect KC, as well as leader organizer of its annual Gumbo Fest competition. “Together, we created a vibrant tapestry of flavors, cultures, and compassion that reminded us of the power of good food and good company. From the delightful aromas that wafted through the air to the joyful sounds of laughter and live music, we gathered vibrantly through the philosophy that gumbo represents.”
Community members braved cool fall temperatures and drizzle to attend the second year for Gumbo Fest — a popup event Oct. 15 on the patio of The Spot, the Prospect KC’s “for purpose” urban eatery in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.
Students from the Prospect KC with judges and organizers at the 2023 Gumbo Fest competition; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
The students who cooked up the winning entry are a part of Prospect KC’s current cohort for its 16-week job training program, where “prospects” receive on-the-job culinary training.
“(This student cohort) is an enthusiastic, talented group of individuals eager to learn and practice culinary and technical skills leading to apprenticeships and employment as part of our progressive, on-the-job training and classroom instruction,” McAfee-Bryant said. “They also produce high-quality food for The Spot café and coffeeshop and meals for those in the community who need access to healthier food options.”
Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant of the Prospect KC announces the winning entry at the 2023 Gumbo Fest competition; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
McAfee-Bryant was inspired to start the competition after reading former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial’s book “The Gumbo Coalition,” in which he uses gumbo as a symbol for community development, she said.
“The event celebrates the revitalization of the financially disinvested east side and speaks of the hope for the future,” McAfee-Bryant noted in a news release.
RELATED: Chef Shanita’s urban eatery sets the table for prospects to access power
Chef Bradley Gilmore of Lula Southern Cookhouse poses during the 2023 Gumbo Fest competition; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Gumbo prepared by Waldo Thai for the 2023 Gumbo Fest competition; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
The winning gumbo entry from the Prospect KC’s culinary students bested six other entries — including the 2022 winner, Chef Bradley Gilmore of Lula Southern Cookhouse — and impressed the panel of judges: Ryana Parks-Shaw, mayor pro tem for Kansas City, Missouri; Shaylyn Dean, director of external affairs for Spire; Drew Eanes, senior client solutions manager at JE Dunn; Katie Van Luchene, lifestyle columnist and author; Dia Wall, KSHB news anchor; and Loren Hallifax, WDAF news anchor.
“The presentation of the seafood skewer was a great touch and the cornbread on top added a nice complement to the flavor,” Wall said about the students’ entry.
“The depth of flavor in the roux was the perfect mix of spicy and rich,” Dean added.
Gilmore’s gumbo entry for Lula took second place with Waldo Thai’s earning third. The entry from BoysGrow — a nonprofit organization that mentors urban youth through agricultural entrepreneurship — won the People’s Choice Award.
Other competitors included Kanbe’s Markets and Thelma’s Kitchen.
Check out a gallery of additional photos from Gumbo Fest below.
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
MidxMidwest teases lineup for three-day investor-innovation event (and the startup party of the year)
Building on Kansas City’s ambitious spirit, a new blend of music, startups and community is expected to meet at the crossroads of innovation, said Alexa Heying, pulling back the curtain on plans for the region’s flagship Midwest tech conference. “The goal of MidxMidwest is to create the connective tissue between founders, investors, and corporates so…
Peek inside: Buffalo State Pizza takes another slice of ownership with fresh-baked downtown OP relocation
Three decades of pizza at a popular downtown Overland Park corner might have come to a close this week, as the crew at Buffalo State Pizza Co. picked up the last of what they could carry and walked it a half block down the street to the shop’s new home near another local favorite, The…
One cabin, one chair, one cut: Barber swaps rushed for rustic at his no-distractions shop in the woods
LONE JACK, Mo. — A short drive to visit this barber — his cabin tucked away in the oaks and hickories about 35 minutes from the heart Kansas City — is about more than just the journey to a great hair cut, Micah Holdaway said; it’s about the experience. After running Barberhouse Men’s Hair Studio in…
Q&A: Troy Nash grew up in public housing; now he’s leading real estate innovation at UMKC
Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. [divide] Executive MBA professor named new real estate center director With more than two decades of leadership in public-private partnerships, economic development and community engagement, Troy Nash will serve as director of the Lewis…