How do Top Gun, Star Wars, Peaky Blinders, and Café con Leche all come together for one unforgettable day? Easy. They were the fun themes for this year’s 2024 OLLA Pig Roast, transformed into Top Hog, Star Boars, Piggy Blinders, and Café con Lechón for the fourth annual cook-off competition. And let’s just say, things got a little heated—in the best way possible.
On Saturday, November 16, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy was buzzing with good food, music, and community spirit. It was the perfect mix of local flavor and Lourdes pride. Families, friends, future Bobcats, and even a few Columbus boys (sporting their baseball shirts, of course!) flooded the event, soaking in the South Miami sunshine and the mouthwatering aroma of lechón in the air.
“My family’s team theme was ‘Our Lechón Was Awesome,’ which stands for OLLA, of course. us, play games, hand out prizes, and just have an amazing day. My family poured their hearts into making sure this year was the best, and the food for sure didn’t disappoint,” junior Emma Cendros said.
In the competition, The H-ogs took first place in the Texture and Flavor category, as well as the OLLA’s Choice category, while Dr. Pig – GastroMed claimed first place in the Theme category.
But the event wasn’t just about the food—it was about the heart of Lourdes: community. Whether you were mingling near the field, getting competitive at the Pickleball Bobcat Challenge, or chatting with vendors, there was no shortage of things to do. You could spot everything from the Lucy Fernandez Foundation talking to students about the importance of boater safety to Bobcat-run businesses like junior Vale Satin’s jewelry shop, Stacked by Vale.
Inside the dining hall was the Marketplace, where local vendors offered everything from handmade goods to holiday gifts. Attendees swapped stories and bracelets and shared laughs. And if you weren’t already feeling the OLLA spirit, walking past the lechón stations would surely remind you why this multicultural community is so special.
The Pig Roast, a true highlight of the school year, was the ultimate celebration of family, friends, and food—and, of course, a little friendly Lourdes competition. Whether it was the battle of DJs or the heated pickleball action, the day was filled with energy and joy, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating next year’s event.
