By: Dr. Shane Rasmussen
NATCHITOCHES – With his entry “Ashli’s Beans,” Dane Terrell of Natchitoches won first place in the Judges’ Choice Category in the 2025 Red Beans & Rice Cookoff held at Northwestern State University as part of the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. 3 Stooges, comprised of Jacob Carpenter of Belmont, Daniel Warren of Robeline and C.J. Vercher of Provencal, took second place and third place winners were Laurie and Merrill Smith of Ball.
Ashli’s Beans took first place in the Protein Sausage Category, with 3 Stooges winning first place in the Other Protein Sausage Category. 3 Stooges also took the People’s Choice Award.
Kristie Brown, Felicia Lawson and Shirley Winslow managed the Cookoff. Judges were Donna Baker, University Archivist and Records Officer of the Cammie G. Henry Research Center at NSU; Eli Dyjack, NSU undergraduate, and Dr. Kent Peacock, assistant professor of history and director of the Creole Heritage Center at NSU.
“This year’s festival theme was Crafting Louisiana, and so it was fitting how each of the entries made for the cookoff highlighted the level of skilled craftsmanship and art there is in making great cuisine,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Festival, “All of the entrants made amazing food, and we thank them for sharing with us their culinary talents.”
When the Festival returns next July it will host a Gumbo Cookoff. Updates will be posted on the Louisiana Folklife Center website in Spring 2026.
Support for the festival was provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana.
Much needed support also came from generous sponsorships from Atmos Energy, Bank of Montgomery, C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, Exchange Bank, the Family Doctors of Natchitoches, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company and Young Estate, LLC. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program did not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
Photo caption
Winners of the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival Red Beans & Rice Cookoff were, from left, second place and People’s Choice winners 3 Stooges, Jacob Carpenter of Belmont, Daniel Warren of Robeline and C.J. Vercher of Provencal, and first place Judge’s Choice winner Dane Terrell of Natchitoches.
