Gilbert Chef Faces Off for Ultimate Seafood Cooking Competition

Chef Nick Farrer of Isabel’s Amor in Gilbert will face-off against 13 other chefs from around the country to the nation’s ultimate seafood cooking competition, the 18th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off.

Chef Nick Farrer is no stranger to competition on all levels, especially battling the clock and several other chefs. Chef Farrer has made three appearances on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games and has two wins to his credit. Nick has been a culinary consultant for Isabel’s Amor since the inception of their menu in 2013. Working with owner Tim Vasquez, Nick helps the company execute on their culinary vision of being the go-to Mexican Restaurant in Arizona. Recently, Nick launched a YouTube Channel (The South Chicago Chef) featuring his new show “The Family Table” where he cooks with families and unlocks their food traditions and family recipes for the world to see. Nick also owns his own brand of hot sauce called “Southside Sauces” where he harkens back to his roots in South Chicago and brings life to a childhood favorite.

The 2022 Great American Seafood Cook-Off will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Saturday, August 6. The 18th annual event gets underway with Opening Ceremonies at 11:15 a.m. as 14 chefs, each representing their home state, cook in front of a live audience and a panel of nationally acclaimed judges.

“The Great American Seafood Cook-Off is the perfect stage to celebrate Louisiana and America’s domestic seafood industry – the best in the world,” said Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “This year there will be a very talented field of chefs from all over the country vying to be crowned the next ‘King or Queen of American Seafood’ right here in New Orleans. Each chef will be showcasing their skills with domestic seafood to present the best seafood dishes.”

The 2022 Great American Seafood Cook-Off competitors are:

Chef Jeffrey Compton; The Battery, Birmingham, Alabama
Chef Amara Enciso; Brava Food, Juneau, Alaska
Chef Nick Farrer; Isabel’s Amor, Gilbert, Arizona
Chef Miles Angelo; Caribou Club, Aspen, Colorado
Chef Al Massa; Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, Destin, Florida
Chef Amanda Cusey; Villa Harlequin, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Chef Dila Mahoney; Dila’s Kitchen, Portland, Maine
Chef Eric LeBlanc; Burtons Bar & Grill, Riverdale, Maryland
Chef Erin Miller; Urban Hearth, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Chef Cooper Miller; Forklift, Tupelo, Mississippi
Chef Christian Gill; Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey, Cincinnati, Ohio
Chef Mandisa Horn; Horn O Plenty Freshtaurant, Bedford, Pennsylvania
Chef Nicholas Huckabee; A Difference in Dining, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Chef Jesse Cavazos; Cru’ Food and Wine Bar; Houston, Texas

During the competition, each chef will prepare a dish highlighting the use of domestic seafood while interacting with the live audience, celebrity hosts Chef Cory Bahr – Food Network Star Finalist, Food Network Chopped! Champion, and a former King of Louisiana Seafood – and KLFY TV10’s Gerald Gruenig, along with “chef ref” Chef Keith Frentz, also a former King of Louisiana Seafood. Each dish will be presented to a panel of nationally renowned judges who will score based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftsmanship, and flavor. The Great American Seafood Cook-Off promotes the quality and variety of domestic seafood found in the United States.

To be eligible to compete in the event, chefs must either hold the current title of King or Queen of Seafood or be appointed by the lieutenant governor of their respective state or territory. The reigning King of American Seafood, Mississippi’s Chef Austin Sumrall of White Pillars Restaurant in Biloxi won the title with his dish of Snapper Three-ways, including a raw preparation, snapper ribs, and a poached snapper jowl pho. Chef Sumrall bested 12 of the best chefs from around the country.

The event is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Previous winners of the Great American Seafood Cook-Off include: