The Great American Seafood Cookoff

It takes an army of people to put on The Wine and Food Experience. It is interesting to watch some of the behind the scene things that go on. I got to see all of this because I went with my friend, local New Orleans artist Martin Welch. We set up his display for the event. People setting up displays, chefs bringing in food from the different restaurants, and then the competing chefs getting ready for the Great American Seafood Cookoff. The Great American Seafood Cookoff took place during The Grand Tasting on Saturday afternoon.

This years' winner is Tory McPhail from Commander's Palace. As executive chef at the famed Commander's Palace restaurant, Tory McPhail follows in the footsteps of household names like Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse and Jamie Shannon. He will represent Louisiana in the National Seafood Cookoff that will be shown on PBS. This is a picture of the chefs in the competition area getting ready to compete.

I was sitting beside one of the mothers of the competing chefs and she told she could tell that her son was nervous. It is kinda fun to know that everybody.... even world class chefs get nervous.

This is a picture of one of the displays at the event. Everything looks yummy!



My friend, local New Orleans artist Martin Welch unveiled his poster that he designed for the 2009 Louisiana Seafood Festival. This is the original piece of artwork that Martin used to make the 2009 poster. You can buy the original piece of art for $20,000.

It is made up different elements that represent all the seafood that the State of Louisiana produces. How great would that look in your home? Of course, you see how large it is, so it won't fit in your powder room. If $20,000 is too much for your budget, you can buy a signed poster for $80 or a framed poster for $295.