How great would it be if your favorite Chef won the State's highest culinary honor? Last year's winner, Chef Ben Rosen and Sous Chef Walker Hughes from The Depot in Auburn, put their restaurant in the spotlight. So who will take the trophy and money in 2026?

Sweet Grown Alabama is calling all chefs! It's time to submit your best seafood + local product recipe to enter the 11th annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off! Four chef teams will compete for the trophy, a chance to represent Alabama at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and a $2,500 cash prize on Monday, May 18 at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

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The event can be career defining for many of the participants. “Winning this competition was such a unique and fun experience,” said Chef Kyle Ogden, 2024 Alabama Seafood Cook-Off Champion and judge for 2025. “It’s more than just a cook-off – it’s a platform to tell our stories through food and represent the hardworking producers behind every ingredient.”

In 2023, Brody Olive from Perdido Beach Resort walked home wit the trophy.

Submit your recipe with the information below via email to ellie@sweetgrownalabama.org to enter the contest by March 16, 2026. Read full contestant rules HERE.

• The name of chef, name of assistant chef, restaurant/organization being represented, email and phone number
• The complete and detailed recipe being submitted. Please include dish title, recipe ingredients and preparation instructions. The recipe submitted MUST be the recipe that the contestant will prepare if selected as one of the top four finalists to compete in the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off. The recipe must include Alabama Gulf Seafood as the main ingredient plus a locally grown component. Please refer to the complete rules and submission packet linked below for more details

Seafood lovers- make plans to join Sweet Grown Alabama at The Wharf in Orange Beach to watch the 11th Annual Seafood Cook-Off Monday, May 18, 2026! Four chef teams from across the state will compete for the award, $2,500 in prize money and the chance to represent Alabama at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Make plans to grab dinner at one of The Wharf's tasty restaurants, then watch the chefs exhibit their skills.

Sweet Grown Alabama enhances marketing opportunities for Alabama farmers by connecting retailers and consumers to Alabama-grown foods and other agricultural products.