KENNER, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board today announced the 19th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off (LASCO) will be held for the first time in Jefferson Parish, with the competition taking place at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner on Friday, June 26, 2026. The official call for chefs to compete in the prestigious statewide culinary competition has also been issued.
The annual cook-off brings together some of the state’s most talented chefs to showcase the incredible flavors and versatility of Louisiana seafood while competing for the title of King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood.
“Louisiana seafood is the heart and soul of our state’s culinary identity, and Jefferson Parish is a great place to celebrate, a community with deep ties to our fishing industry and coastal heritage,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We are thrilled to bring the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off to the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner for the first time and highlight the hardworking fishermen, processors, and chefs who make Louisiana seafood the best in the world.”
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, hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
This year’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is being held in conjunction with the kickoff to the third annual Foodie Feast Restaurant Week hosted by Visit Jefferson Parish. This year’s restaurant week will be held September 20-26, 2026. For one delicious week, diners in Jefferson Parish can enjoy special menus and deals from some of the best restaurants across the parish. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover new flavors or revisit your favorite spots while supporting local businesses and celebrating the community.
“In a state with a renowned reputation for delectable food, we are beyond excited to announce that Jefferson Parish will host the Louisiana Seafood Cook Off! We welcome the talented chefs from across the great state of Louisiana and wish them much success as they compete to be crowned the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood and continue to the Great American Seafood Cook Off! We invite every food lover to join us to watch the chefs battle it out in a most delicious way,” said Violet Peters, Visit Jefferson President & CEO.
Jefferson Parish plays a vital role in Louisiana’s seafood industry, with its proximity to the Gulf and its strong commercial fishing, processing, and restaurant communities helping deliver fresh, world-renowned seafood to tables across the state and beyond. Hosting the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off in the parish provides an opportunity to celebrate this heritage while showcasing the culinary creativity that defines Louisiana cuisine.
Call for Chefs
The search is now underway for chefs to compete in the 19th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. 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.
Chefs interested in vying for the title of 2026 King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood can access the online entry form through the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off webpage and must submit their application by the deadline on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Information on previous cook-offs and updates on the event are available at LouisianaSeafood.com.
Past 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: Ryan Trahan
- 2019: Nathan Richard
- 2020: Robert Vasquez
- 2021: Tory McPhail (King of Kings Edition)
- 2022: Amanda Cusey
- 2023: Owen Hohl
- 2024: Chase Woodard
- 2025: Karlos Knott
Sponsors for the 2026 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off include the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Louisiana Restaurant Association, and partners at Visit Jefferson Parish.