The annual Crawfish Cook-Off, which was held May 6, moved to Halliday Park in Bay Minette this year after outgrowing Blackburn Park from last year.

This event saw over 700 people in attendance, and over 2,000 pounds of crawfish and sides were devoured within three hours.

"The teams really stepped up this year with their recipes and sides... it's going to be hard to determine a winner, everything is so delicious," Judge Mark Fontenot said.

But, after much deliberation and sampling from 15 teams, the judges made selections based on taste, flavor, texture, spice, ease to peel, juiciness, creativity, etc.

The Crawfish Cook-Off 2023 winners are:

• 1st place: Crossroads Church - Crawdad's University
• 2nd place: Two Fat Guys & A Grill - Big Boy Boilers
• 3rd place: TPQ LLC - Hillbilly Hotheads
• Best add-in/side: Two Fat Guys & A Grill - Big Boy Boilers
• Spiciest crawfish: Two Fat Guys & A Grill - Big Boy Boilers
• Most team spirit: G + T Lawn & Landscape - Who's Your Crawdaddy?

With a new crowd favorite voting system in place, Crossroads Church - Crawdad's University, also brought in the crowd favorite award, raising $551 in tips during the event.

"Overall, the new venue was a big hit. A little shopping with vendors was a great addition, music and fun was enjoyed by all, sponsors and volunteers had a blast, and cook-off teams really showed out this year," Manager of Marketing, Design and Project Marlee Bailey said.