A chef from Odette, a beloved restaurant in Florence, has been named the winner of the 9th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off. The competition pits some of the best cooks in the entire state against one another with the winner taking home $2,500 and a chance to win this summer’s 2024 Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans, Louisiana.
According to Alabama Gulf Seafood, Chef Tyler Ogden created a dish called “Spring Tide” that quickly won over those fortunate enough to sample it including the judges. The dish consisted of a pompano filet with a crab and shrimp mousse.
Ogden spoke about what he hoped to gain from the cook-off prior to competing.
“My goal for the ASCO is to honestly just have fun and to hopefully bring a third trophy back to Odette. I am looking forward to seeing some new techniques from my competitors and really pushing what I am capable of producing in the time frame we have.”
Ogden will be accompanied to New Orleans by his sous chef, Taylor Bradley.
Since the start of ASCO, dishes at the competition have been judged on the following criteria:
- Presentation, General Impression and Serving Methods
- Creativity and Practicality
- Composition and Harmony of Ingredients
- Correct Preparation and Craftsmanship
- Flavor, Taste and Texture
The five categories are the same criteria that are used in the national Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Each is worth up to 20 points for a total of 100 points.
Last year, Chef Brody Olive from Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort won the Alabama cook-off. He eventually went on to win the national competition.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
