Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off Set for June 2025

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.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• WGNO: Baton Rouge Chef to Compete in Seafood Cook-Off
• Houma Today: Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off 2025 to Feature 12 Chefs
• KLFY: Acadiana Chefs to Compete in 2025 Seafood Cook-Off
• Wikipedia: Louisiana
• KNOE: Northeast Louisiana Chef Compete in Seafood Cook-Off
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cuisine
• WBRZ: Contestants Announced for 2025 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off
• Google Search: Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off
• The Advocate: 12 Chefs Competing in Seafood Cook-Off
• Google Scholar: Louisiana Culinary Heritage
• 710 KEEL: Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off Winner

Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER

NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.