May event falls nearly 10 years to the day since the Alabama Gulf Seafood brand was launched
FROM ALABAMA GULF SEAFOOD
GULF SHORES, Alabama (Mar. 24, 2022) – Alabama Gulf Seafood announced today that chef registration for participation in its statewide 7th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off (ASCO) is now open. All interested chef teams can visit EatAlabamaSeafood.com for registration forms and additional competition information.
The Monday, May 16, event falls shortly after the 10-year anniversary of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission’s official launch of the Alabama Gulf Seafood brand, which falls on May 11.
Additionally, this marks the second year the Cook-Off will be held both independently and at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.
“This year’s event is truly special in that it falls in line with a unique moment in time for us and for Alabama’s seafood industry,” said Chef Jim Smith, chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission and 2011 winner of both the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off and Great American Seafood Cook-Off. “We are excited to bring the Cook-Off back to The Lodge again this year and encourage interested chef teams across the state to register to battle on the coast for the 2022 title.”
Interested chefs can download contest registration forms at EatAlabamaSeafood.com. Completed forms and a recipe integrating Alabama Gulf Seafood as the featured ingredient must be submitted to Chandler Thornton at chandler@bigcom.com by Monday, April 25. Finalists will be selected no later than Monday, May 2, to then compete at the May 16 event.
At the May competition, scoring for chef teams (one lead chef plus one assistant) will be judged based on Presentation, General Impression and Serving Methods; Creativity; Composition and Harmony of Ingredients; Correct Preparation and Craftsmanship; and Flavor, Taste and Texture.
The winner of the May ASCO event will go on to represent the state of Alabama in the 17th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO), which will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana in late summer.
“As we look to our brand’s 10th anniversary, we’d like to use this year’s ASCO to celebrate our state’s unrivaled seafood through the talent of Alabama chefs,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and program administrator of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. “The Alabama Gulf Seafood brand has accomplished so much to enhance Alabama’s rich seafood industry, and we have our chefs across the state to thank as part of that success. This event will continue to celebrate their contributions to this industry for many years to come.”
For more information, or to register a chef team, please visit https://eatalabamaseafood.com/articles/story/7th-annual-alabama-seafood-cook-off-in-gulf-shores
About the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission
Established by executive order in March 2011, the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission (ASMC) was created to help provide advice, oversight, management and encouragement to the marketing of Alabama seafood. Led by Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the ASMC is comprised of volunteer members appointed by the
Governor that includes fishermen, processors, charter boat operators, retailers, restaurant owners and others directly and indirectly related to the Alabama seafood industry.
