News Summary
The 18th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off will take place on June 27, 2025, at The Harbor Center in Slidell. This marked event is the first held on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, bringing together top chefs to celebrate Louisiana’s culinary heritage. Attendees can enjoy dining deals during the concurrent Tammany Taste of Summer, enhancing the community experience. The winner will represent Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans. Tickets are available for $65, offering a full culinary experience.
Slidell, Louisiana – The 18th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is set to take place on June 27, 2025, at The Harbor Center in Slidell. This year marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the prestigious event will be hosted on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain.
The competition brings together some of the finest culinary talents from across Louisiana. Chef selections were released by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser alongside the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. The primary goal of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is to honor and celebrate the deep cultural connections that the people of Louisiana have with food, friends, and family.
Nungesser highlighted the value of traditional cooking, emphasizing how recipes passed down through generations contribute to the rich culinary heritage of the state. The competition aims to showcase not only the skills of participating chefs but also to recognize the vital contributions of the seafood and restaurant industries in Louisiana.
The Cook-Off will coincide with the 8th annual Tammany Taste of Summer, which runs from August 1-31. During this month-long culinary promotion, restaurants across St. Tammany Parish will offer exclusive dining deals to patrons. Attendees of the seafood event will get a preview of offers from 15 participating restaurants.
The winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off will have the distinct honor of representing Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off scheduled for August 2 in New Orleans. This notable competition will take place at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center and will feature top chefs from across the United States.
Tickets for the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off are priced at $65 each, which allows entry not only to the Cook-Off but also to the Tammany Taste of Summer event. Tickets are available for purchase through the Tammany Taste of Summer webpage on the Visit the Northshore website. Attendees are encouraged to follow event updates on social media using the hashtag #LASCO25.
The following chefs are confirmed as competitors for this year’s Cook-Off:
- Karlos Knott, Executive Chef, Cajun Saucer at Bayou Teche Brewery, Arnaudville, LA
- Kaleb Scott, Executive Chef, University Club of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA
- Willie Gaspard, Jr., Executive Chef, Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel, Charenton, LA
- Michael Kelley, Executive Chef, Gallagher’s Grill, Covington, LA
- Trenton Oliphant, Executive Chef/Owner, Benteaux Cajun-Asian Fusion, Hammond, LA
- Jaylen Cherry, Head Chef, The Depeaux, Independence, LA
- Alexis Indest, Executive Chef, Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, LA
- Chase Raley, Chef de Cuisine, Parish Restaurant and Bar, Monroe, LA
- Farrell Harrison, Executive Chef, Plates Restaurant & Bar, New Orleans, LA
- Jared Heider, Chef de Cuisine, Juniors on Harrison, New Orleans, LA
- Blake Jackson, Executive Chef/Owner, Heron Seafood/Mae & Co., Shreveport, LA
- Joseph Fontenot, Executive Chef, Creole Bagelry & Café, Slidell, LA
The Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off promises to be a celebration of the state’s vibrant culinary culture, showcasing the best of seafood cooking while fostering community connections that form the backbone of Louisiana’s food heritage.
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