Giant Omelette Celebration, Abbeville, LA

The Epic Outdoor Food Fest In Louisiana You Simply Cannot Miss

Louisiana is no stranger to festivals, that’s for sure. From hot air balloons to boudin, there’s nothing we won’t throw a festival for. There’s one epic food festival in Abbeville that you have to see to believe, and it’s coming up soon!

If you’re looking for an outdoor food festival, then you have to attend the Giant Omelette Festival in Abbeville.

The story behind this celebration is fascinating.

According to legend, Napoleon and his army were traveling through South France and decided to stay near the town of Bessieres for the night. A local innkeeper prepared Napoleon an omelette, and he loved it so much he ordered everyone in the town to gather all the eggs in the village to prepare a huge omelette for his army.

The omelette became a tradition in the village to feed the poor during Easter.

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Since then it has become the symbol of fraternity, friendship and cultural exchange known as the Confreie.

In 1984, three members of the Chamber of Commerce attended the Easter Omelette Festival in Bessieres, and were also knighted the first of Abbeville’s Chevaliers (chefs).

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They came back home determined to bring this tradition to Abbeville.

Abbeville joined the other seven locations that celebrate this annual event.

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Bessieres, France, Frejus France, Dumbe, New Caledonia, Granby, Quebec, Canada, Malmedy, Belgium, and Pigue, Argentina all celebrate this International Omelette Festival.

Each year, representatives from each of these cities arrive in Abbeville and are knighted as chevaliers, and help to prepare the 5000-egg Cajun Omelette.

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The omelette itself is a masterpiece.

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A 12-foot skillet is put over a wood burning flame.

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And the ingredients to make this Cajun Omelette will make your mouth water.

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A total of 5033 eggs, 50lbs of onions, 75 bell peppers, 4 gallons onion tops, 2 gallons of parsley, 1.5 gallons of cooking oil, 6.5 gallons of milk, 52 lbs of butter, 3 boxes of salt, 2 boxes of black pepper, 15 lbs of Louisiana crawfish tails, and tabasco sauce all go on this epic 12 foot skillet.

The best part? The omelette is free to anyone who comes out to watch.

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It takes a while to make an omelette this big, and lots of preparation goes into place beforehand. (It takes a while to crack 5000 eggs!) Prep starts at 8am, the fire is lit around 11am and then the cooking starts around 1:30pm. Come out early to get a good seat!

The festival is November 4th and 5th in Magdalen Square in Abbeville, Louisiana. On Saturday the 4th, come out for a historic tour of the homes in the area, an arts and crafts show, egg toss and egg cracking competition and live music. Then on Sunday the 5th, make sure to get there early for the antique car show, live music, procession of the chefs, and of course the making of this epic omelette!