NATCHEZ — Arms held way up high, clutching the first place silver cauldron trophy, Jason Lynch with Natchez Community Hospital was the portrait of triumph.

Lynch’s team had just won first place in the United Way Jambalaya Jubilee Cook-off.

“We’re ecstatic,” he said, speaking for his whole team.

Along with Mike Cook and one more, the trio headed to the convention center at 6 a.m. Thursday morning to get things cooking.

Cook said it’s somewhat of art timing the preparation.

“It’s takes a lot of time to cook,” he said.

Using a special recipe of course, they were able to win the first place spot and feed a lot of happy patrons.

“People have been saying it’s the best stuff here,” Lynch said.

And that was surely reflected in the judges’ votes.

But Lynch said it’s not about winning.

“United Way is a big organization, it affects a lot of people in the Miss-Lou,” he said. “We’re just glad to be a part of it.”

The second place winners had seemingly already left the venue, and the team didn’t come to collect its trophy.

The third place winners were just as ecstatic with their placing, as could be heard from blocks away when they erupted into cheerful screams upon hearing the announcement.

The Natchez Senior Center, first place winners from the previous year, said it’s all about attitude when it comes to competing.

“(It’s) what gives us that edge, we enjoy it,” Tanya Thomas said.

But it could be their secret ingredient, too.

Sausage, chicken, garlic, bay leaves and of course, love, Thomas said.

All in all, their team just has a giving spirit.

“(United Way) gives a lot to us and it’s fun giving back to them,” she said.

Winners from two years ago Concordia Bank and Trust had about five boxes of jambalaya left— out of the 140 they made — when things started wrapping up.

“We’ve had a wonderful day out here,” Sharon Huff said.

Tommy Millican, cook for the team, said he didn’t mind not placing this year.

He just loved the cooking.

Talking excitedly about pork, chicken, bell peppers, a Cajun mix that includes 20 different spices, he was willing to take tips for next year by looking at the consistency of the winner’s recipe.

“I could see their texture was better than ours,” he said.

Huff’s attitude was similar to Thomas’ in just wanting to help out the community.

“It’s wonderful, a great experience knowing we’re helping the elderly, Habitat for Humanity, all of the agencies,” she said.

United Way Executive Director Marsha Colson said the event was a great success, noting high energy levels and great participation.

“The theme was ‘Broadway: A Community Production,’ and it really was a great community production,” she said.