Need a delicious way to spend your Monday evening? Sweet Grown Alabama will host the 11th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach on that evening. The yearly contest highlights Alabama's vast seafood selection and the winner has a year to boast about their prize creation.

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 with the trophy.

Four standout chef teams from across the state have been selected to compete, each bringing their own take on Alabama’s rich culinary traditions. This year’s cook-off further highlights Sweet Grown Alabama’s mission by connecting locally grown products with the state’s thriving seafood industry. As part of the challenge, each team will create a dish featuring Alabama Gulf seafood paired with a locally grown ingredient.

Along with a $2,500 cash prize and plaque, the winning chef will go on to represent Alabama at the nationally acclaimed Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.

TOP SEAFOOD CHEFS:

• C.R. “Robbie” Nicolaisen, Chef at The Hound in Auburn
• Chris Ippolito, Chef at Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant in Birmingham
• Emilio Urban, Chef at Coastal Restaurant in Orange Beach
• Jason McGarry, Chef at Central in Montgomery

WHEN: Monday, May 18 | Cook-Off beginning at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Wharf 4550 Main Street, Orange Beach, AL 36561, Cook-Off Located in Green

Space Near Tee Off Restaurant

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