Somers Point will host its annual Mardi Gras celebration in July, featuring the Jersey Gumbo Cook Off and Louisiana Music Festival. Nearly a dozen of South Jersey’s top chefs will compete for the coveted King Mardi Gras Chef Crown.
Culinary Stars Compete
Renowned food educators like Chef Joseph Sheridan from Atlantic Cape Community College will join the competition, along with top culinary teams from the region. Chef Phil Gormley’s special events team from Smithville Inn, Executive Chef Robert Levenson, and Chef David Wong from Resorts Casino’s Capriccio, voted the No. 1 Casino Italian restaurant in USA Today, are among the contenders.
They will face off against newcomers such as Executive Chef Dan Luber from Greate Bay Country Club and Master Chef Tyson Merryman from Tuckahoe Inn, who has a rich background in Louisiana cuisine and Mississippi riverboats.
Local favorites, including Chef Niko Karamanis from Galloway Casual Dining, seafood experts PJ Buckets, and the 2023 “People’s Choice” winner, Chef Paul from Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar, will also vie for the title. The reigning Mardi Gras King of Gumbo, Chef David Goldstein of the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey, will defend his crown.
In 2023, Chef Goldstein used his $1,000 prize money to support his mission of serving over a million free meals during his career, adding a philanthropic flavor to his victory.
Jersey Gumbo Chefs:
- Chef David Goldstein: Reigning Mardi Gras King of Gumbo 2023 from the American Culinary Federation Professional Chef’s Association of South Jersey.
- Chef Paul Gregory and Manager Walter Gregory: “People’s Choice” winners from Jersey Gumbo 2023, serving their popular gumbo at Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar.
- Chef Tyson Merryman, Tuckahoe Inn: Formerly of The Anchorage, with experience in Louisiana and Mississippi riverboats.
- Chef Philip Gormley, Smithville Inn: Executive Chef renowned for farm-to-table cuisine and special event menus.
- Chef Robert Levenson, Resorts Casino: Leading the team at Capriccio, voted the top Italian casino restaurant in USA Today.
- Chef Niko Karamanis, Galloway Casual Dining: Known for his creative and exotic flavors.
- Chef Dan Luber, Greate Bay Country Club: New Executive Chef bringing fresh culinary talent to the competition.
- Chef Joseph Sheridan, Atlantic Cape Culinary Arts Director bringing student-inspired culinary creativity.
- Paul & Joan Lutz, PJ Buckets Restaurants: Seafood specialists delighting fans with their mac and cheese with seafood and, of course, seafood gumbo.
Event Details
The festivities will be held at The Point (with their beautiful Tiki Bar), starting at 3 p.m. and continuing through the last funky Mardi Gras show with Billy Walton & Destinee Monroe at 10 p.m. on Monday night, July 8, 2024. The event is presented by Tony Mart Presents.
Mardi Gras weekend in Somers Point kicks off with the Atlanticare Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point, at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 5. One of the world’s greatest Cajun fiddlers, Waylon Thibodeaux, will perform with The Tony Mart Allstars New Orleans Big Band. The band features Howard Isaacson, Bob Ferguson, Tommy Quayle on tuba, Danny Eyer on guitar, the vocals of Brian Conover, and “Old School” Jimmy Glenn on vocals and drums.
The Friday night party will also feature a Mardi Gras second line parade on the sand and classic New Orleans music as “The Saints Go Marching In” on the picturesque Somers Point beach.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in style on the historic Somers Point bayfront!
