SWLA Chef to represent La in national seafood cook-off

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Southwest Louisiana chef to represet Louisiana in the 22nd annual Great American Seafood Cook-off July 25.

Chef Kris Allen will compete in the cook-off hosted by La. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Chef Kris Allen to represent at national cook-off(Louisiana Seafood)

Born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, Allen discovered his passion for food at an early age, spending countless hours on his father’s shrimp boat and in the kitchen with his grandmother, Cynthia, where he absorbed the techniques, flavors, and foodways that define Louisiana cuisine. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep respect for fresh ingredients, local seafood, and the culinary heritage he has always called home.

The competition begins with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. and the first chef starting to cook at 11:30 a.m. Representing their home states, 13 chefs will prepare signature seafood dishes before a live audience and a panel of nationally recognized judges, all while showcasing the quality, sustainability, and diversity of America’s domestic seafood industry.

“The Great American Seafood Cook-Off is more than a culinary competition. It’s a celebration of the hardworking men and women who harvest America’s seafood and the talented chefs who bring it to life,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This event highlights the importance of buying domestic seafood and supporting the hardworking fishermen and seafood producers who keep this vital industry thriving.”