See the Winning Dishes from the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff

SHREVEPORT, LA - When you get invited to judge the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff, you jump at the chance. I jokingly told Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser I wanted to judge the competition this year and just a few days after making that remark, I got a call to be one of the lucky judges.

The event was held in Monroe on Friday night and I was honored to be one of four judges for this culinary spectacular. 11 chefs from all around the state put out some of the best food I have ever eaten. It was so tough to judge all of this great food.

Who Walked Away with the Win?

Congrats today to Chef Chase Woodard of Parish Restaurant in Monroe. He is the 2024 King of Louisiana Seafood beating 10 other chefs to win the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

Woodard says:

Tonight, we cooked seared yellowfin tuna from the Gulf with a summer salad of local peaches, marinated crabmeat, and a nice yellow curry that was infused with ginger and lemongrass.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says:

Congratulations to Chef Woodard, Parish Restaurant and all of the amazing chefs who showcased the best seafood in the world - Louisiana seafood - at this year's cook-off. It was an exciting event with dishes that ranged from redfish to shrimp to softshell crawfish. Always demand Louisiana seafood and support these restaurants and our local fishermen and women.

Woodward now represents Louisiana at the 20th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans on Saturday, August 3. Chase provided one of the best plates of food I have ever eaten. And the funny thing is, he had to pivot at the last minute when his flounder did not arrive on time. He shifted his recipe to tuna.