Chef Niema DiGrazia Named Grand Marshal for 2026 Krewe of Gemini
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Krewe of Gemini is gearing up for the Mardi Gras season with their new parade theme, 'The Greatest Show,' and has announced several updates.
Chef Niema DiGrazia, known for winning Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and leading Abby Singer’s Bistro, has been named the Grand Marshal for the 2026 parade.
A prominent figure in the Shreveport culinary scene, Chef Niema is celebrated for infusing her dishes with artistry and cultural celebration.
On October 18, Chef Niema served as a judge in the annual Gumbeaux Flambeaux. Float teams participated in a friendly cook-off, competing for the Golden Ladle award in gumbo and lagniappe categories.
Other local dignitaries joined her as judges, including Josh Robinson, vice president of marketing at Live! Casino, Danny Mobley, owner of Terra Bella Landscape & Design, and Wayne Lancaster, sales center manager for Coca-Cola Shreveport.
Golden Ladle winners included a seafood gumbo with chicken, pork, and andouille sausage topped with fried jalapenos, a Nutella-stuffed chocolate chip cookie, and a seafood gumbo with shrimp, crawfish, and crab.
Attendees enjoyed food, football, and family-friendly activities such as tailgating, an LSU watch party, games, and a bounce house for children.
While delivering public events, the Krewe has been preparing for future occasions behind the scenes. The floats are being transformed by Mardi Gras Decorators, a family-owned float painting company from Slidell, LA.
Led by co-owner Rachel Elsensohn, the team has spent weeks readying the floats for the 'Greatest Show' theme, a tribute to festivals worldwide.
Krewe of Gemini Captain Cole Guthrie stated, “Gemini is one of the few krewes that completely reinvents its floats each year. With Rachel’s team’s artistry and our members’ imagination, this year’s parade is truly shaping up to be the greatest show on Earth.”
Upcoming events include the Krewe of Gemini Holiday Party on December 15, the Krewe of Gemini Grand Bol on January 31, the Krewe of Gemini Float Loading Party on February 13, and the Krewe of Gemini Parade on February 14, where the new floats will debut.