Seafood Cook-Off - Compete - Mississippi Seafood

Chefs competing must be executive chefs for an acclaimed free-standing restaurant in Mississippi, or Mississippi-based catering group, that proudly serves Mississippi Gulf Seafood on their regular menu.

No institutional chefs (i.e. food service distributors, hospitals, culinary school instructors or chefs having 10 or more restaurants) will be allowed to compete.

Each chef will be responsible for plating up to four entrees for judges with Mississippi Gulf seafood as the main protein.

The winning chef will represent Mississippi for the Great American Seafood Cook-Off on the first weekend in August in New Orleans, so chefs ensure this does not conflict with their schedule before participating in the Mississippi Seafood Cook-Off.

April 17, 2026 – application, recipe, chef’s biography, high-resolution photograph of chef and chef’s restaurant logo must be received by 11:59 p.m.
April 21, 2026 – all applicants will be notified if they have been selected as a finalist for the Mississippi Seafood Cook-off
May 7, 2026 – Mississippi Seafood Cook-off at 5 p.m. at Jones Park in Gulfport, Miss.

Chef's Name:

Title:

Restaurant:

City:

State:

Work Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Do you currently serve Mississippi or seafood from the Gulf of Mexico on your menu?

Yes No

What do you love the most about Mississippi Gulf seafood?

T-shirt size:

Upload Recipe (PDF Required)

Upload Chef's Biography (PDF Required)

Upload Chef's Photo (JPG or PNG Required)

Upload Restaurant's Logo (JPG or PNG Required)

*Submissions may be uploaded on this page or emailed to publicaffairs@dmr.ms.gov.

By checking this box, I acknowledge that I have read the competition requirements and agree to the terms.

ATTEND