LAFAYETTE – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board crowned Chef Tory McPhail of Revelry Plates + Pours in Bozeman, Montana, as the 2021 Louisiana Seafood King of Kings after winning the 14th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, besting nine other past champions for the title. Chef McPhail was the executive chef at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans when he was named the 2009 King of Louisiana Seafood at the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. For the fourth year, the event was held at the Cajundome Convention Center in conjunction with the Taste of EatLafayette.
In a twist to this year’s cook-off, each past champion received a mystery ingredient by random draw. The mystery ingredient needed to be incorporated in their dish. To win the crown, Chef McPhail prepared a Sheepshead with shrimp and crab, garnished with a shrimp and tasso henica incorporating his/her mystery ingredient of Bulldog Pepper Jelly Roasted Pecan, flambéed fresh sweet crabmeat with summer corn glazed with fresh whiskey, all on top of a creole sauce. Chef McPhail’s dish beat nine past champions of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off by showcasing his creativity and highlighting the superior quality of the seafood that comes from Louisiana’s shorelines and vast waterways.
“What a great way to celebrate the return of all our local chefs and their restaurants after what has been a challenging year for everyone. We couldn’t have asked for a better event with 10 past champions coming back to support Louisiana Seafood and the local restaurants of the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The level of competition we had tonight shows the passion Louisiana has for great food that will Feed Your Soul. We are ready for everyone to make their way back to Louisiana, safely, to experience what we already know and love.”
“The winning dish tonight was a lemon-seared sheepshead, which is a beautiful fish rounded out with the fish’s diet of shrimp and fresh crabmeat, fresh corn, local tomatoes, and a nice herb salad. It’s just a good honest Louisiana dish made with amazing, great Louisiana seafood,” said Chef Tory McPhail, 2021 Louisiana Seafood King of Kings.
Second place, by virtue of a second vote by the judges, went to Chef Cody Carroll of Hot Tails in New Roads, Louisiana. Third place went to Chef Chris Lusk of the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans.
A panel of three judges scrutinized each dish. The judges included Anne McBride of the Culinary Institute of America; Chef Alex Patout of Landry’s Cajun Seafood and Steakhouse in New Iberia; and, Ewell Smith, former Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Board and founder of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off.
Past champions competing in the 2021 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off: King of Kings were:
- Tory McPhail; 2009 Louisiana King of Seafood; King of American Seafood
- Chris Lusk; 2010 Louisiana King of Seafood
- Keith & Nealy Frentz; 2012 Louisiana King of Seafood
- Cody Carroll; 2013 Louisiana King of Seafood
- Aaron Burgau; 2014 Louisiana King of Seafood
- Mike Brewer; 2015 Louisiana King of Seafood
- Bonnie Breaux; 2017 Louisiana Queen of Seafood
- Ryan Trahan; 2018 Louisiana King of Seafood; King of American Seafood
- Nathan Richard; 2019 Louisiana King of Seafood; King of American Seafood
- Robert Vasquez; 2020 Louisiana King of Seafood
While Chef Tory McPhail took home the title King of Kings in Louisiana Seafood, Chef Robert Vasquez, our 2020 King of Louisiana Seafood, will represent the state in the 17th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans on August 7, 2021, in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase at the Morial Convention Center.
Those inspired by the chefs’ culinary creativity and looking to bring the state’s best seafood dishes to their own kitchen can visit www.LouisianaSeafood.com for recipes of each competing dish. To keep up with Louisiana Seafood throughout the year, follow @LaSeafoodBoard on Instagram and Twitter and at www.facebook.com/louisianaseafood.
The 2021 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off: King of Kings was held in conjunction with the Taste of EatLafayette event, featuring the best of both worlds: a Taste of EatLafayette restaurants and a world-class cooking competition. The Taste of EatLafayette showcases locally-owned restaurants participating in the annual EatLafayette campaign. The event traditionally serves as the kickoff for the summer campaign driving diners to local eateries.
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