Bayou La Batre will host the fourth annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off on Wednesday, June 13, at the Bayou La Batre Community Center, giving the winning chef a shot at representing the state on a national stage. The winner will go on to compete at the 15th annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans as well as the 2018 World Food Championships in Orange Beach.
This year’s field includes four chefs, three of whom are competing for the first time: Chef Jeremy Downey of Bistro V in Birmingham, Chef Jeremiah Matthews of Southwood Kitchen in Daphne and Chef Scott Simpson of the Depot in Auburn. The fourth competitor, Chef Jason Ramirez of Villaggio Grille in Orange Beach, returns after finishing as runner-up in last year’s competition.
Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and program administrator of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission, said the contest has become an annual showcase for the state’s seafood industry.
“This year’s contest will prove to be another annual highlight for Alabama’s thriving seafood culture,” Blankenship said. “We congratulate all of the finalists and wish them the best as they work to perfect their recipes for next month’s event.”
Taste of the Bayou runs alongside the competition
While chefs compete inside the community center, Bayou La Batre’s own Taste of the Bayou event will run in conjunction outside, giving residents and visitors the chance to sample fresh, local seafood for $10 per ticket. The pairing puts Lower Alabama’s self-described seafood capital on full display for a single afternoon, blending professional competition with a community food festival.
A Mobile chef heads to Atlanta’s wing showdown
Mobile’s food scene will also be represented outside the state this summer. The Southern Wing Showdown, set for Sunday, Aug. 5, in Atlanta, will include Southern National chef Duane Nutter among roughly 30 top chefs from across the Southeast competing for the title. The event routinely sells out, and organizers are encouraging fans hoping to attend to secure tickets early.
Tickets remain for a James Beard-winning chef’s dinner
Food lovers looking for one more event before summer are running out of time to catch a dinner featuring James Beard Award-winning chef Hank Shaw. Great Days Outdoors and The Noble South restaurant are hosting the dinner on Thursday, May 31, where guests will meet Shaw, sample hors d’oeuvres drawn from recipes in his latest cookbook, “Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail,” and receive a signed copy of the book. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at www.thenoblesouthrestaurant.com/hank-shaw/.