Champion gets set to defend title

• By DARLENE DENSTORFF
• Ascension section editor
• Published: May 15, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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GONZALES — Push-ups are part of Jeff Parent’s routine these days.

The exercise isn’t for a weight-loss plan, but an effort to get in shape for the upcoming Jambalaya Festival.

Parent, the reigning world champion jambalaya cook, said the high May temperatures coupled with cooking for three days over an open fire “really takes it out of you.”

Parent said his cooking partner Scott Duplechein is also working out these days in preparation for the grueling cooking contest set to begin May 22.

“This year I’m doing some pre-festival conditioning,” Parent said Saturday as he sold some of his award-winning recipes at the Ascension Fresh Market.

“Some of the older cooks told me and Scott we couldn’t cook jambalaya because we were too skinny,” Jeff joked. “I do eat a little extra during May to get ready for all the weight I’ll sweat off.”

Cooking at the weekly market is just one of the opportunities that have come Parent’s way thanks to winning the title.

Parent and his wife, Lori, have started a frozen foods business, Chef JP Products, and expanded his catering business.

“I knew there would be opportunities with the win, but I was really surprised with all the opportunities. We really seized the opportunities,” Parent said.

Parent said he and Duplechein have cooked more than 3,500 pounds of rice in jambalayas cooked during the yearlong reign.

Expanded opportunities wasn’t the only surprise for Parent.

“I’m constantly surprised that folks recognize me as the champ,” he said. “It’s (winning the title) a big deal in our little fraternity of cooks, but I had no idea folks on the street would step up to me and call me ‘the champ,’ ” Parent said. “I’m now synonymous with jambalaya.”

The win also has extended to Parent’s entire family.