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PHOTO BY ROMNEY CARUSO

experience that brings together the earthiness of pheasant and quail, the tongue-tingling kick of andouille, and a velvety, chocolate-hued roux that delivers the big-hearted spirit of the bayou with each bite. Even in sauna-like conditions, the likelihood is high you’ll see dozens of people in Teva sandals and tropical-print shirts grooving fiercely while shoveling Prejean’s gumbo into their mouths. A multi-year winner at the World Champion ship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia, enjoyed by celebrities from Lady Gaga to Jimmy Buffett, Prejean’s pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo has played a major role in creating a dining ecosystem at Jazz Fest, where food doesn’t play second fiddle to music. Instead, memorable, only-at-the-fest eats and once-in-a-lifetime musical experiences have two-stepped their way — hand-in-hand — into New Orleans history. - Sarah Baird

Fair Grounds carrying festing gear packhorse style. And, at some point, you’re going to wait in line for your favorite, only-at-Jazz Fest foods — no matter how long the line, or how scorching the weather. For the uninitiated, it might seem beyond belief that a bowl of piping hot gumbo has been one of the most sought-after Jazz Fest foods for almost 30 years, but even the frequently inferno-like festing conditions can’t keep legions of loyal fans from starting their day off with Prejean’s pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo. Founded in 1980 by Bob Guilbeau on family land in Lafayette, Louisiana, Prejean’s Restau rant is a magnet for diners from across the country itching to try all sorts of traditional Cajun dishes while bands like Les Frères Michot provide an ultra-local soundtrack. At Jazz Fest, though, the calling card is a gumbo that can’t be found anywhere else: a one-of-a-kind sensory

Prejeans: Simply Cajun ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, there are a few inalienable truths about going to Jazz Fest. First, you’re probably going to have a surprise encounter with Mother Nature, from a hot-pink sunburn that makes you look like a raccoon (thanks, Ray-Ban) to an afternoon thunderstorm that forces you to MacGyver a trash bag into a rain poncho. By the end of the weekend, your body is going to ache in the best possible way from the endless dancing, hustling between stages, and hoofing it to and from the

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