Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Sweet Grown Alabama is bringing its annual seafood competition back to Orange Beach, where four chef teams from across the state will compete in front of  judges and the public. The event will again take place at The Wharf and spotlight dishes featuring Alabama Gulf seafood and local farm products. Organizers say the cook-off continues a tradition of promoting the state’s seafood industry and the people who work in it. The public is invited to watch the chefs cook live as they compete for the top prize.

The 11th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off is set for Monday, May 18, 2026, at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with opening remarks, and the competition is expected to continue until about 8 p.m. 

Competition organizers state that each culinary team will draw numbers to determine the cooking order before the start of the event. The chefs will then prepare their signature dishes live before a panel of expert judges who will score each entry. The winning chef will receive a $2,500 cash prize and the opportunity to represent the state at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off.

According to Sweet Grown Alabama, this competition upholds a legacy established by the Eat Alabama Seafood program and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The event further advances initiatives of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. Described by organizers as a culinary challenge, the cook-off serves as a vital platform to maintain public focus on the seafood harvested from Alabama's own coastal waters.

Emphasizing local sourcing, the competition rules mandate that Alabama Gulf Seafood be the central ingredient in every dish. Additionally, each entry must incorporate at least one ingredient grown within the state. This requirement is intended to highlight the synergy between Alabama's seafood industry and the local farmers who provide fresh produce.

Showcasing various regions of Alabama, the 2026 competition features four finalists with diverse culinary backgrounds: Chef Emilio Urban of Coastal Restaurant in Orange Beach, Chef C.R. Robbie Nicolaisen of The Hound in Auburn, Chef Jason McGarry of Central in Montgomery, and Chef Chris Ippolito of Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant in Birmingham.

The event is free and open to the public. Organizers are encouraging visitors to spend time at The Wharf before the competition starts, whether that means shopping, walking the property or eating dinner nearby. That setup gives the event a festival feel while keeping the spotlight on the chefs once the cooking begins.

The cook-off serves as a significant addition to the Orange Beach spring calendar, highlighting local restaurants, tourism, and seafood. For the participating chefs, the event provides statewide visibility and the potential to advance to a national platform. Meanwhile, seafood enthusiasts gain a firsthand perspective on how Alabama ingredients are transformed into elite competition-level dishes along the coast.

For more information, visit the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off website.