New Orleans Chef Devan Giddix takes home “People’s Choice” Award
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board crowned Chef Robert Vasquez of PePe’s Sonoran Cuisine in Covington as the 2020 King of Louisiana Seafood live on the Louisiana Seafood Facebook page to wrap up the 13th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. For safety reasons, this year’s event had a different look, switching from the kitchen stadium format to a virtual competition.
“What a great way to continue celebrating the best of the best seafood chefs in the state as we crowned Chef Robert Vasquez as the new King of Louisiana Seafood. We may not have been able to gather in person like we usually do, but you can’t stop a celebration from happening in Louisiana and that is just what we did by going virtual this year,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “I look forward to working with Chef Vasquez over the next year as he represents our state, showcasing Louisiana Seafood to the country and the world.”
To win the crown, Chef Robert Vasquez prepared a Red Snapper, Crawfish Sofrito to beat out 9 of the state’s best seafood chefs by showcasing his creativity and highlighting the superior quality of the seafood that comes from Louisiana’s shorelines and vast waterways.
Chef Chris Vazquez of Redfish Grill in New Orleans was named second place winner, preparing a Pan Roasted Redfish topped with a Mango and Crab Chutney. Close behind was third place winner Chef Justin Componation of Parish Restaurant & Bar in Monroe who prepared a Grilled Shrimp Tartine with Sambal Lime Cream. For the first time, this year’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off included a chance for viewers to participate and select the “People’s Choice” winner. That honor went to Chef Devan Giddix of Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House whose video demonstration of his Grits and Gillades de Mer was shared more on social media than any other competing chef.
Each dish was scrutinized by some of Louisiana’s most seasoned chefs and food lovers, including 2015 King of Louisiana Seafood Chef Michael Brewer; President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Baton Rouge Chapter Lisa Boudreaux-Lecoq; and, Caitlin Watzke from Louisiana Cookin’ magazine. Hosting the video demonstrations this year was 2011 King of Louisiana Seafood and Food Network Star finalist Chef Cory Bahr.
Below are the chefs who competed in the 2020 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off: LASCO@Home, along with links to their cooking demonstrations.
- Logan Boudreaux; Cinclare Southern Bistro; Thibodaux, LA
- Justin Componation; Parish Restaurant & Bar; Monroe, LA
- Anthony Felan; Fat Calf Brasserie; Shreveport, LA
- Ben Fidelak; Mariner’s Restaurant; Natchitoches, LA
- Devan Giddix; Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House; New Orleans, LA
- Scott Ricci; Drago’s Seafood Restaurant; Baton Rouge, LA
- Dominique Schexnayder; Dominique’s Wine Boutique & Bistro; Houma, LA
- Amy Sins; Langlois; New Orleans, LA
- Robert Vasquez; Pepe’s Sonoran Cuisine; Covington, LA
- Chris Vazquez; Redfish Grill; New Orleans, LA
Those inspired by the chefs’ culinary creativity and looking to bring the state’s best seafood dishes to their own kitchen can visit www.LouisianaSeafood.com for recipes of each competing dish. To keep up with Louisiana Seafood throughout the year, follow @LaSeafoodBoard on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
