ST. BERNARD, La (press release) – The seventh annual Cook-Off for the Coast will offer free family-friendly fun on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish. The event – co-hosted by Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Vanishing Paradise and the Meraux Foundation – raises awareness about coastal restoration by celebrating the bounty and cuisine of southeast Louisiana.
“The Cook-Off is a perfect blend of our rich cultural heritage and innovative approaches to addressing the challenges facing coastal Louisiana,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation in a statement about the event. “We are proud to host this signature event at Docville Farm, where it has become a beloved tradition. It’s a delicious and unforgettable celebration, offering free fun for the entire family.”
Local cook teams will compete by preparing dishes featuring the abundance of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, including seafood and wild game, and serve free samples to the public. A panel of judges, including local chefs and community leaders, will rate the entries on taste, originality and presentation. Trophies will be awarded in the following categories: swims, flies, crawls, student organization and crowd favorite.
Louis Michot and Swamp Magic will provide electrified Cajun music throughout the event. Libations and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase from local favorite, Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou. Additionally, a host of local organizations engaged in coastal restoration, invasive species, urban stormwater management, and other issues addressing and celebrating the culture and economies of Southeast Louisiana will be on hand with information and kid-friendly activities.
“The bounty of coastal Louisiana is a large part of what makes our state a Sportsman’s Paradise,” said Emily Guidry Schatzel, with Vanishing Paradise. “The Cook-Off for the Coast provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate these resources, while also raising awareness about coastal restoration and helping shape the next generation of coastal conservation leaders.”
All proceeds from the 2025 Cook-Off for the Coast will benefit the Nunez Community College Coastal Scholarship Endowment. This endowment will strengthen the resilience of St. Bernard Parish and wider coastal Louisiana by training the coastal restoration workforce of tomorrow.
“We are thrilled to bring Cook-Off for the Coast to life again this year in St. Bernard,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “This event provides a meaningful way to connect with our coastal communities, highlight the bounty of Louisiana and benefit the next generation of coastal leaders.”
The 2024 Cook-Off raised more than $20,000 for the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program with Nunez Community College and Chalmette High School and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Both programs encourage community participation in protecting and restoring the coast in St. Bernard Parish.
Admission to the family-friendly event is free and applications are still open for cook teams, but space is limited. Anyone interested in registering a cook team should contact Blaise Pezold at blaise@merauxfoundation.org. Several sponsorship levels are also available to support the Cook-Off and help fund Nunez Community College’s Coastal Studies Scholarship Program. Please contact Chris Haines at chrishaines@merauxfoundation.org to learn more about sponsoring.
Additional support for this year’s event comes from the St. Bernard Parish Coastal Division, St. Bernard Parish Tourism and Nunez Community College.
For more information about the event please visit, coastcookoff.com.
