BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board today are proud to announce the selection of chefs from across the state to represent their areas in the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off (LASCO). This year’s competition will be held for the first time in Monroe on Friday, May 31.
"In Louisiana, good food is just part of what connects us to our diverse heritage and seafood is a big part of that in all corners of the state. From recipes passed down through generations to the culinary creations of our state’s chefs, seafood has created a culinary identity for Louisiana unlike any other state,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “This is a chance for us to celebrate the great contribution chefs around Louisiana and our hard-working seafood industry make to the state that truly Feed Your Soul.”
Chef’s competing in the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off include:
- Katy Aker, JAC’s Craft Smokehouse; West Monroe, LA
- Muggsy Beals, Desi Vega’s Steakhouse; New Orleans, LA
- Mac Casteel, Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant; Monroe, LA
- Brent Daigle, Grady V’s; Thibodaux, LA
- Ben Fidelak, Mariner’s Restaurant; Natchitoches, LA
- Kaala Lawla, Boswell’s Jamaican Grill; New Orleans, LA
- Brandon Naquin, Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant; Thibodaux, LA
- Trenton Oliphant, The Depeaux; Independence, LA
- Chase Raley; Parish Restaurant & Bar; Monroe, LA
- Tony Rodrigue, Acme Oyster House; New Orleans, LA
- Frederic Terluin, Rouj Creole; Baton Rouge, LA
- Sullivan Zant, Vestal Restaurant; Lafayette, LA
The 2024 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is being held in conjunction with the Up Yonder Food & Wine Festival hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe. The evening is a chance to feast on the unique dishes from areas restaurants and regional guest chefs. Attendees can look forward to indulging in a variety of flavors, textures, and culinary delights with the unique flair of each participating restaurant.
The winner of LASCO will represent Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans on Saturday, August 3, at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. GASCO is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Expo and features chefs from around the country competing for the title of “King or Queen of American Seafood,” a title currently held by Louisiana’s own Chef Ryan Trahan of the Blue Dog Café in Lafayette.
Tickets are on sale now for $60 each. To purchase your ticket online, head to EventBrite. One ticket provides you admission to the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off and the Up Yonder Food & Wine Festival.