Alabama Gulf Seafood is searching for its 2016 Alabama Seafood Cook-Off champion, with organizers announcing that the second annual event is set for Wednesday, May 25, at The Wharf in Orange Beach.

Submissions are now closed. Finalists will be announced in late April.

The winner of the May 25 event will go on to represent the state of Alabama in the 13th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be an automatic qualifier in the 2016 World Food Championships, also to be held at The Wharf, with both events scheduled for later this year.

This year’s Alabama Seafood Cook-Off judges will be Chris Blankenship, director of the Alabama Marine Resources Division and program administrator of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission; Susan Benton of 30AEats.com; David Holloway, food writer for AL.com; Jason Burnett of Oyster Obsession; and George Reis, winner of last year’s Alabama Seafood Cook-Off and owner of Ocean and 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar.

This year’s emcee will be Martie Duncan of Martie Knows Parties and Food Network Star.

“Last year’s inaugural event drew chef team applicants from across Alabama, with our winner, Chef George Reis of Birmingham, moving on to represent us on a national level,” said Chef Jim Smith, Chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. “We look forward to even more Alabama Gulf Seafood team submissions and recipes this year.”

Competition scoring for chef teams (one lead chef plus one assistant) will be judged based on Presentation, General Impression, and Serving Methods; Creativity and Practicality; Composition and Harmony of Ingredients; Correct Preparation and Craftsmanship; and Flavor, Taste, and Texture. These same parameters will also be used to judge recipes at GASCO later this year.

For event rules, see our Contest Registration Form.