Destin Chef to compete in Great American Seafood Cook-Off on Saturday

DESTIN, Fla. – A Destin chef is set to compete for the title of King or Queen of American Seafood in New Orleans on Saturday.

Al Massa of Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer faces 13 other chefs from around the country in the 18th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on August 6, Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer said in an announcement.

“We are very excited and extremely humbled to have the opportunity to represent Destin, the Panhandle, and the Great State of Florida in the Great American Seafood Cookoff,” said Massa.

To be eligible to compete in the event, chefs must either hold the current title of King or Queen of Seafood or be appointed by the lieutenant governor of their respective state or territory. Massa was appointed to represent Florida.

The 14 competing chefs will cook in front of a live audience and a panel of nationally acclaimed judges.

The event is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase.

During the competition, each chef will prepare a dish highlighting the use of domestic seafood while interacting with the audience and celebrity hosts Chef Cory Bahr, Gerald Gruenig, and Chef Keith Frentz.

Each dish will be presented to a panel of nationally renowned judges who will score based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftsmanship, and flavor.

Chef Austin Sumrall of White Pillars Restaurant in Biloxi won the title last year with his dish of Snapper Three-ways, including a raw preparation, snapper ribs, and a poached snapper jowl pho.

The 2022 Great American Seafood Cook-Off competitors are:

• Al Massa; Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, Destin, Florida
• Jeffrey Compton; The Battery, Birmingham, Alabama
• Amara Enciso; Brava Food, Juneau, Alaska
• Nick Farrer; Isabel’s Amor, Gilbert, Arizona
• Miles Angelo; Caribou Club, Aspen, Colorado
• Amanda Cusey; Villa Harlequin, Lake Charles, Louisiana

• Dila Mahoney; Dila’s Kitchen, Portland, Maine
• Eric LeBlanc; Burtons Bar & Grill, Riverdale, Maryland
• Erin Miller; Urban Hearth, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cooper Miller; Forklift, Tupelo, Mississippi
• Christian Gill; Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Mandisa Horn; Horn O Plenty Freshtaurant, Bedford, Pennsylvania
• Nicholas Huckabee; A Difference in Dining, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Jesse Cavazos; Cru’ Food and Wine Bar; Houston, Texas

For more information on the competition, visit www.louisianaseafood.com/great-american-seafood-cook.