Lieutenant Governor Nungesser Announces Search for Chefs for the Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off in Lafayette

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board have begun the search for chefs to participate in the 12th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, which will be held Tuesday, June 18, at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette. Chefs from across the state who meet the eligibility standards are invited to submit applications by the Friday, April 12, deadline.
 
“Louisiana is a place where you can Feed Your Soul, and what better way to do just that than by cooking up some of the best seafood in the world found right here in our state. Louisiana is the largest seafood producer in the contiguous U.S. and the quality is unsurpassed, which is why our chefs say, ‘Know Better, Eat Better’,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “The winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off plays a very important role in educating people from around the world on the flavor and sustainability of Louisiana seafood, which is a core piece of our culture, from fine dining to backyard boils.”
 
For the third consecutive year the event is being held in Lafayette, the city said to have more restaurants per capita than any other American city. Lafayette also holds the distinction of being the “Tastiest Town in the South” by AAA Southern Traveler and “Happiest City in America” by Wall Street Journal Market Watch in 2014. Many of the restaurants that have helped earn those titles will be a part of the event serving samples to spectators as a part of the opening event for Eat Lafayette, which will take place in conjunction with the Cook-Off.
 
In addition to earning the title of King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood, the winner will represent the state at a variety of events including the Great American Seafood Cook-Off taking place in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association EXPO in New Orleans on August 3, which is also hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
 
Previous winners of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off include:

• 2008: Brian Landry

• 2009: Tory McPhail

• 2010: Chris Lusk

• 2011: Cory Bahr

• 2012: Keith and Nealy Frentz

• 2013: Cody and Samantha Carroll

• 2014: Aaron Burgau

• 2015: Michael Brewer

• 2016: Blake Phillips

• 2017: Bonnie Breaux

• 2018: Reigning King Ryan Trahan

 
Entrants must be an executive chef for a free-standing Louisiana restaurant belonging to the Louisiana Restaurant Association, a proud partner in both the Louisiana and Great American Seafood Cook-Offs. Entry forms, information on previous cook-offs, and updates on the event may be found at www.LouisianaSeafood.com.
 
“Our continued hope with having the cook-off in Lafayette is to draw attention to the fact that the state’s top chefs and great seafood can be found anywhere from our largest cities to our smallest towns,” said Lt. Gov. Nungesser. “The event itself will continue to enjoy a little extra seasoning by taking place where the Cajun and Creole cultures thrive. I know our Lafayette hosts will make this a memorable evening for competing chefs and spectators alike for the third year in a row.”
 
Follow @LaSeafoodBoard on Instagram and Twitter and keep up will all Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off (LASCO) events via the official hashtag, #LASCO19.
 
If you would like to participate in the 2019 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, please apply below. 

• Printed Submission Form
• Digital Submission Form 

Contact information: 
Barry Landry, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
(225) 342-8167
blandry@crt.la.gov 

Julio Guichard , Office of the Lieutenant Governor 
(225) 342-7009
jguichard@crt.la.gov