Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Undertow Bar & Grill is once again turning good food into a good cause. The restaurant will host its popular Tailgate Chef’s Challenge, bringing together chefs, fans, and community members. The event mixes friendly competition with fundraising. Organizers say it continues to grow each year.

The 14th Annual Tailgate Chef’s Challenge will take place Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning at noon. The event will be held in the Back 40 Courtyard at Undertow Bar & Grill, 25025 Canal Road, Orange Beach. The Rowan Agency, McCarron Insurance, and Miller Lite are sponsors.

Fourteen cooking teams will compete during the event. Teams will battle for a golden ticket to the World Food Championships in Indianapolis this November. The winning team will also receive $500 and a trophy for top honors.

Guests can purchase tasting tickets for $20 per person. Tickets include unlimited food samples from the competing teams. Attendees can also enjoy door prizes, drawings, raffles, and a silent auction throughout the day.

The Chef’s Challenge was created by Undertow general manager Joe Coe. He started the event as a way to give back after receiving support during his fight with stage four testicular cancer. The first competition was held at The Keg.

“The chefs can cook anything they want as long as they cook it out back,” Coe said. He has worked in the local service industry since moving from Savannah in 1992. Coe said the event reflects the area's spirit.

“This community rallied around me when I needed help. So, I started this as a way to give back to people with cancer,” Coe said. “This community is why I am still alive. I owe it to them to try to give back.”

This year’s benefactor is 34-year-old Kara Michelle Quinnelly, a local resident and single mother of four children ages 4 to 11. She has been diagnosed with stage three invasive ductal carcinoma. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy, with mastectomy surgery planned.

Despite her illness, Quinnelly continues to work when she can as a purchaser for a pharmacy and gift shop. Event organizers say the fundraiser will help ease financial stress for her family during treatment.

Teams competing include Island House Hotel, Beyond The Law, Peninsula Golf Club, Maggie’s Farm, Lauria’s Italian Restaurant, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Doc’s Seafood & Steak, and several others. Each team will prepare its own creative dishes.

The restaurant at Peninsula Golf Club won the 2025 Challenge in a close contest. Kurtis Krum, Calib Pritchard, Dustin Spray, and Maegan Belmonte impressed judges. Their winning dish featured seared pork belly burnt ends over smoked macaroni and cheese with fresh pepper relish.

Last year’s People’s Choice award went to The Grill Sergeants. Brad Johnson and Bryan Johnson served ahi tuna burgers and smoked bourbon pecan pie. They finished just .05 points shy of winning the overall title.

Live music will also be part of the event. Members of local rock band Saucy Fuzz are scheduled to entertain during the challenge.