With the smell of spices and meat simmering in roux dark as the muddy Mississippi, there is no doubt this year’s Carnaval de Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off will offer recipes that will please appetites of all ages.

For the past six years, the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation has held the cook-off as a fundraiser to benefit their cause, and this year the seventh installment, which will be held Feb. 10 is dedicated to David Coulon, who passed late last year.

“David was such an influential figure to this community, and he was especially important to the Gumbo Cook-Off,” chairperson for the event Margaret Thames said.

“He was one of the initial teams and the first winner of the event when it started back in 2012, and he never missed a year since,” she said, adding, “David was always one of the first teams to arrive the morning of the event and the last to leave. He greeted every person who came to his tent with a huge smile and he had the most delicious gumbo. He also led his team to win the competition on more than one occasion.”

Thames said for those interested in entering this year’s cook-off, entry fees are $50 before Jan. 26 and $75 afterwards, which include four team members.

Additional team members are $5 each.

Gumbo categories for the cook-off are seafood and non-seafood and awards will include first, second and third place in each category.

In addition to a trophy, first place winners in each category will take home $200.

Awards will also be given for the best-decorated site and the coveted People’s Choice Award which will be renamed this year.

“To keep David a part of the event for years to come, we officially renamed the most sought-after award, the People’s Choice Award, to the Coulon’s Choice Award,” Thames said.

The Carnaval de Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center and will include live music, dancing, drinks and children’s activities.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, which includes a gumbo bowl for taste testing.

For more information on entering a team, forms can be found on the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation Facebook event page or by calling 601-636-5010.