About Us

The ORIGINAL group of Louisiana lifestyle & cuisine lovers bring a Gumbo Cook-off to the forefront here in Central Florida to benefit deserving Juniors Angler groups, Teen Angler, Youth and Junior Anglers Education (JAE).  

 Finding its origin among likeminded friends who share a passion for good food and fishing, the concept Gumbo Wars was established in 2011. Our intentions were having fun and raising funds used to support and promote youth fishing and conservation programs in Central Florida and our success continues to accomplish these goals today. Good food and the outdoors just go together, and after having fun and serving great gumbo for over ten years, the Gumbo Wars organization has supplied grants and scholarships to youth fishing organizations and conservation programs ranging well over 100,000 dollars. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, Gumbo Wars Inc. has introduced thousand of kids to fishing through its Junior Angler Education program where volunteers teach children and their parents the value of our fragile outdoor resources and after the one-hour program is complete each child receiver their own fishing rod, reel, and tackle box to take home with them. In 2019/2020 Gumbo Wars Inc. supplied grants and scholarships to the Teen Sportfishing Association of Central Florida, Seminole Teen Anglers, the Bobby Lane Cup (high school bass fishing tournament), the Blair Wiggins Clam Restoration Project in the Indian River Lagoon, the Fish Orlando Project, Captains for Clean Water, Anglers for Conservation, and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association.Our passion has driven our success, and our success has shaped the lives of thousands of young anglers and hopefully the future of those who follow in our footsteps. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Capt. Butch Finnigan

Jay Herrington

Florence Wylie Williams

Jessica Herrington

Tom Paisano

Capt. Tom Van Horn

Wade Leffel

John Boodreaux Baumann

Steve Chapman

Phil Wolfe

BOARD VOLUNTEERS

Carrie Lockwood

Chris Femmer

Andre Dartez

Karen Segee