NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The sixth annual Cook-Off for the Coast will offer free family-friendly fun on Saturday, Feb. 24, 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 has become one of the signature events we host at Docville Farm,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “It represents the perfect blend of our rich culture with tangible solutions for the challenges facing coastal Louisiana. It is always a tasty, memorable celebration that’s free fun for the whole family!”
Local cook teams will compete by preparing dishes featuring wild game found in Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and serve up free samples to event attendees. A panel of judges, including local chefs, 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, co-founder of the Grammy Award winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, will provide his 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 will be on hand to share opportunities for getting involved in coastal restoration efforts and provide kid-friendly activities.
“Cook-Off for the Coast is a perfect way highlight the plentiful resources of our Sportsman’s Paradise while also educating our community on the critical conservation and restoration we need to do to ensure it’s here for future generations to enjoy,” said Matthew Waguespack, sportsmen outreach coordinator for Vanishing Paradise. “Restoring the Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf Coast is a priority for sportsmen all across the country.”
All proceeds from the Cook-Off for the Coast will benefit the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program, a partnership with Chalmette High School and Nunez Community College, and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program.
“We are proud to help bring Cook-Off for the Coast to life again this year,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “This premier event helps us to connect on a deeper level with our coastal communities and provides a wonderful way for event attendees to enjoy our culture, while also sharing what opportunities lie ahead for coastal restoration.”
The 2023 Cook-Off raised more than $16,000 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 local restoration projects. 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.
