Chef Jacob Mouser Wins Golden Fork 2026 at Prize Fest Shreveport

A family-owned local butcher shop just can’t seem to stay out of the spotlight, and honestly, for the absolute best reasons ever.

If you haven’t experienced The Chop Shop yet, consider this your official sign to completely change your scenery when it comes to buying meat and ingredients for your kitchen. This little local butchery first blew up when their hot kitchen started putting out insanely good smashburgers.

So, what actually makes The Chop Shop so special? It’s the passionate people behind the counter, and most importantly, the chef in the kitchen having absolute fun creating delicious food every single day.

Meet Chef Jacob Mouser, the culinary mastermind behind the hot bar at Chop Shop, creator of that famous viral smashburger, and the freshly crowned Golden Fork Champion at Prize Fest 2026

From the Qualifier to the Golden Fork Crown

Chef Jacob’s journey through Prize Fest 2026 started at "Come and Get It," where he proved himself as one of the standout chefs advancing straight to the main event: The Golden Fork.

Chef Jacob walked away with the top trophy thanks to a stunning dish featuring a mystery box ingredient: quail.

This marks his second Golden Fork victory, officially landing him in Prize Fest’s elite "Two-Timers Club."

"I Wouldn't Be Here Without Her"

While taking home the top spot is a dream, Chef Jacob didn't take credit for the win alone. When talking about the high-stress nature of the culinary world, a fast-paced industry that can easily chew you up and spit you out, he called his wife Andrea his "goddess, healer, and angel."

"My wife is the only reason my head stays on straight and I can walk," Chef Jacob shared. "One person who never gets enough credit in this industry is the chef's partner. I wouldn't be here without her, she's the love of my life, and she never gets enough credit for our accomplishments."

Pivoting Under Pressure: Mystery Quail & Film Set Roots

Winning a high-stakes cooking competition is never smooth sailing, especially when you're racing against the clock with an ingredient you haven't touched in years.

"Every year I look forward to Prize Week, the food, the art, there’s just a certain magic in the air," Jacob reflected. "This was my third time competing for Golden Fork, and Blake Jackson picked a mystery basket. At first, I was worried because I hadn’t worked with quail in over a decade! It never feels like enough time, especially when you hear that first ten minutes has gone by and you still don’t have a clear plan. But you just keep your head down and keep prepping. A couple times throughout the battle I had to pivot on the fly, trying not to panic. In the end, it all came together."

Jacob credits his cool-headed adaptability under pressure to his diverse background in the food world, including over five years spent cooking for the film industry, which pushed him past his limits and taught him cuisines from all over the globe.

A Victory for the Whole Team

At the end of the day, bringing the Golden Fork trophy back to the butcher shop is a win for the entire crew.

"My crew at The Chop Shop really had my back all along the way, whether it was at the multi-course dinner in the first qualifier or helping me prep and prepare the dish for 'Come and Get It.' It’s been a team effort the whole way, and I'm super proud to have brought home the win for the team."

The next time you're craving a next-level lunch or picking up quality cuts for dinner, stop by The Chop Shop in Shreveport, congratulate Chef Jacob on his big Golden Fork win, and grab yourself a burger while you're there!