The 9th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-off (ASCO) has a new home in 2024. Alabama chefs will faceoff at The Wharf in Orange Beach, May 6.

Four Alabama chefs will compete for the title of Alabama Seafood Cook-Off Champion, $2,500 cash and the privilege of representing the state of Alabama at the 20th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.

Orange Beach’s Brody Olive, executive chef of Perdido Beach Resort, won the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off in 2023 and went on to win the Great American Seafood Cook-Off. The reigning 2023 King of Seafood won’t be competing this year but will be on hand to crown his successor.

Chefs from across the state of Alabama are encouraged to submit a recipe highlighting Alabama seafood by April 10 for a chance at one of four spots at the May 6 competition. An expert panel of judges will review each chef's recipe and select their top four based on creativity, composition, harmony of ingredients and more.

“As we approach our 9th year of ASCO, we are very excited to watch the competition continue to be bigger and better,” said Chef Jim Smith, chairman of the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off and Great American Seafood Cook-Off in a statement. “Submissions from last year’s cook-off showcased some of the best seafood chefs in the Southeast and we are not only lucky that many of them are right here in Alabama – but also that chefs of their caliber choose to compete in this event each year.”

The ASCO is a fun event for those in attendance but a pressure cooker for the competitors. Each chef and one assistant have one hour to cook and plate six dishes all while judges and guests watch. Each dish is scored on presentation, creativity, composition, preparation and flavor.

The ASCO has had two locations on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Zeke’s Restaurant in Orange Beach hosted the 2023 event and The Lodge at Gulf State Park hosted in 2022 and 2021. The change to The Wharf this year was made in hopes of attracting more spectators. This year’s competition will be held in Marlin Circle at The Wharf, May 6 at 6 p.m. The Alabama Seafood Cook-Off is open to the public and free to attend.

Chefs interested in competing can find more information and forms by visiting by visiting eatalabamaseafood.com. The submission deadline is April 10.