By Steffen Klenk
A wonderful time was had by all at the annual Jersey Gumbo Festival, held at The Point Tiki Bar in Somers Point on Monday, July 8. All in attendance were treated to an amazing festival filled with outstanding world-class music, and the best gumbo in our local area. This fun-filled event, produced by Tony Mart Presents, featured nearly a dozen of the area’s top chefs going head-to-head in a gumbo cook-off, with the winning chefs being crowned the Mardi Gras Gumbo Kings for 2024.
This year, Resorts Casino Hotel, led by Chefs Robert Levinson, David Wong, and Director of Food and Beverage Jeffrey Wray, took home the top prize. In the People’s Choice Award category, Chef Dan Luber of Greate Bay Country Club and Chef Niko Karamanis of Galloway Casual Dining won the taste buds of many for their savory and unique blend of flavors.
In addition, the event was filled with a stellar lineup of music, as ‘Louisiana’s Rockin’ Fiddler’ Waylon Thibodeaux brought Cajun and Southern flare to Somers Point deck, backed by the Tony Mart Allstars, consisting of “Old School” Jimmy Glenn on the drums, Danny Eyer on guitar, keys by Brian Conover, and an a-class brass section consisting of Howard Isaacson, Bob Ferguson, and Tommy Quayle.
The celebration continues every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. with Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk at Atlantic City’s Kennedy Plaza, located in front of Boardwalk Hall. This weekly concert series brings award-winning entertainers and musicians together for free concerts that are sure to make you dance. You can also check out the AtlantiCare Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point each Friday, 7 p.m., at William Morrow Beach, and Tony Mart Rocks the Point on Thursdays at 6 p.m. with the Billy Walton Band. For more, go to tonymart.com.
