Best gumbo west of the south was almost good enough for first place
So when the chef’s aprons finally hit the floor at the end of yesterday’s firefighter cook-off, and I realized why I’d been feeling a draft all day, our team finished second with our chicken and sausage gumbo. The host team from Newport, with it’s briquet chili, took the top prize. I didn’t get a chance taste it, but it must’ve been amazing in order to beat out the Best Gumbo West of the South. Our chicken and sausage gumbo, with dirty rice. How dirty? It wouldn’t get a “G” rating, let’s put it that way. Rumor has it the reason the judging ran late was because they were trying to decide between our gumbo and Newport’s chili.
I think it’s also possible that, after eating both dishes, they went out for beers to counteract the spiciness.
Our team, Greg and Arda Stober, along with my wife and I. Our clear display boxes had small strobe lights covered in red and yellow tissue paper to look like flames. That’s just how cool we are. Either way, I couldn’t be more proud of our team, which included my lovely wife, and fellow firefighters Greg and Arda Stober. We also had support from Janet and Annette, who made the trip from our Florence fire station to show their support by attempting to sabotage Newport’s chili with pieces of chopped up fire boot insoles.
Nice try, girls.
In addition to getting the silver medal, we got four coffee mugs that say: “I got Crabs in Newport.” My wife and I agreed it was OK since we got them together.
One of the reasons I love my wife; we make each other laugh a lot. Sometimes I can even make her laugh with my clothes on… That said, I want to thank all of you for your support and good wishes heading into this competition, and for your understanding over the last week with my running late — and in case of my Nickel’s Worth on Writing, not at all — on my regular posts. I’m looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule, and more postings from This Just In, which has everyone in the newsroom a little nervous — which I think is a good thing.
Except when it comes to “Joe.” When he gets nervous, the result is never good.
I still plan to post today’s Flashback Sunday, but it will be later this evening so I can enjoy being worshiped by my children today. It only happens once a year, so plan to make the most of it. To all of you fathers out there, cheers to you and all that you do in the lives of your families and children. Wear that tie proudly.
I was a journalist, humor columnist, writer and editor at Siuslaw News for 23 years. The next chapter in my own writer’s journey is helping other writers prepare their manuscript for the road ahead. I'm married to the perfect woman, have four great kids, and a tenuous grip on my sanity...
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39 thoughts on “Best gumbo west of the south was almost good enough for first place”
Congrats on your Gumbo recognition….and Happy Father’s Day!!
“One of the reasons I love my wife; we make each other laugh a lot. Sometimes I can even make her laugh with my clothes on.” You lucky bastard!
To me, there are few things more endearing than self-deprecating humor. Well played!
Hey, thanks so much. It was a great weekend all around. We slept in Sunday, then my wife and son made breakfast. In the afternoon, we all went to a local softball field and played three-flies up, then went to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant (no, not The Enfermo Taco), and saw the new Star Trek movie (Fantastic, BTW). After the kids went to bed, we sat back, had a drink together and thought about how lucky we are — you know, that the kids went to bed early… 😉
So glad to hear that you had such a lovely Day!!! I’m glad you had the time to spend it with the family, and that the kids were nice enough to go to bed early for you two, haha 🙂
Hahaha! I never grew up in a house where I knew my parents love each other like that. Very lucky 🙂 By the way, it is the oldest profession, so that has to have some prestige, right? lol
That’s definitely in the plans for my new mug. One of the honchos from the newspaper’s corporate office is coming tomorrow. Maybe then? I’ll let you know how it goes. Possibly while waiting in line at the unemployment office…
Ya know, your wife has a very evil smile in that last picture, like she is goosing you or something. Of course, you have one of those “Ah, that was a good one” smiles.
One of the things I love most about my wife is that she has many different smiles — but you nailed those two instances. My favorite smile is the “That was a painfully stupid joke, but I will humor you anyway.”
So when the chef’s aprons finally hit the floor at the end of yesterday’s firefighter cook-off, and I realized why I’d been feeling a draft all day, our team finished second with our chicken and sausage gumbo. The host team from Newport, with it’s briquet chili, took the top prize. I didn’t get a chance taste it, but it must’ve been amazing in order to beat out the Best Gumbo West of the South. 
Ned's Blog 
Congrats on your Gumbo recognition….and Happy Father’s Day!!
Thanks, Susan — in both counts 🙂
I’ll be sipping carefully tomorrow while I catch up on my blog reading. 😉
“One of the reasons I love my wife; we make each other laugh a lot. Sometimes I can even make her laugh with my clothes on.” You lucky bastard!
To me, there are few things more endearing than self-deprecating humor. Well played!
I appreciate that… in a totally self-depreciating way 😉
Never saw green gumbo before. Grats on the medal =)
Thanks, Dupre. I think the lighting made it look a little greener than it was, but the scallions didn’t help 🙂
Woohooo! The man can cook!! Congrats are in oder for your gumbo 🙂 And also on your lovely wife! I hope you had the best father’s day ever 🙂
Hey, thanks so much. It was a great weekend all around. We slept in Sunday, then my wife and son made breakfast. In the afternoon, we all went to a local softball field and played three-flies up, then went to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant (no, not The Enfermo Taco), and saw the new Star Trek movie (Fantastic, BTW). After the kids went to bed, we sat back, had a drink together and thought about how lucky we are — you know, that the kids went to bed early… 😉
So glad to hear that you had such a lovely Day!!! I’m glad you had the time to spend it with the family, and that the kids were nice enough to go to bed early for you two, haha 🙂
Yes, the kids are thoughtful that day. Especially when money’s involved… Wait, that doesn’t make me a prostitute, right?
Hahaha! I never grew up in a house where I knew my parents love each other like that. Very lucky 🙂 By the way, it is the oldest profession, so that has to have some prestige, right? lol
Yeah, I’ll go with the “prestige” angle for sure! 🙂
Woo! Congrats on your placement. I must admit, that mug sounds awesome. I’d love to take something like that into work to scandalize my coworkers. 😀
That’s definitely in the plans for my new mug. One of the honchos from the newspaper’s corporate office is coming tomorrow. Maybe then? I’ll let you know how it goes. Possibly while waiting in line at the unemployment office…
Maybe you would have won if you had put chopped up fireboat insoles in your gumbo? Perhaps they tipped the balance?
Seriously, Ned … you’re a ball of dynamite, well done to you and your team!
Your wife looks like a cutie and well equal to the task of living with you.
Oh and full marks for drinking out of a mug that gives away your secret 🙂
Hahaha! Yeah, next year we’re doing Fire Boot Chili!
And yes, my wife is extremely cute and up to the task.
Of living with me, I mean — not the crabs part… 😉
Ya know, your wife has a very evil smile in that last picture, like she is goosing you or something. Of course, you have one of those “Ah, that was a good one” smiles.
One of the things I love most about my wife is that she has many different smiles — but you nailed those two instances. My favorite smile is the “That was a painfully stupid joke, but I will humor you anyway.”
As you can imagine, I get that one a lot.
Once again, I feel your pain.
How about the “I’m only humoring you until I can get you home to beat the snot out of you” smile?
That’s smile number six, and I only needed to see that one once.
I prefer that over smile number 666, which is “There will be hell to pay when we get home”.
That was my ex-wife’s only smile.
Ouch. I would hate to see your ex-mother-in-law.
She’s actually lovely. I think my ex was adopted but everyone was too afraid to tell her.
The collar and the dog tag should have given her a clue.
quiet… i think she heard you…
I think I smell brimstone.
That would mean Chinese for dinner last night.
Angela Lansbury
I don’t think she’s Chinese. Then again, neither was Charlie Chan.
Bruce Jenner might be.
It’s hard to tell with that much plastic which, more than likely, was made in China — which I suppose WOULD make him mostly Chinese now.
I wonder what Bruce Jenner will look like as a zombie?
Probably like Joan Rivers.
What kind of gum do you use?
I prefer to use Hubba Bubba Gump when I can find it. Otherwise, Gatorade’s new Shrimp Sensations works in a pinch.
My mouth is watering! Oh wait, that’s vomit. Sorry.
Damn it! That flavor isn’t supposed to be out yet. I’m calling Wriggley’s right now…