Chef Cory Bahr, executive chef of Restaurant Sage in Monroe, Louisiana, has won top honors among his peers at the 2011 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans. His winning dish was North Delta Bouillabaisse, using a spectrum of seafood from Louisiana waters along the Gulf Coast.

Second place went to Chef Diana Chauvin, owner and executive chef of La Thai Uptown restaurant in New Orleans for her special dish, Louisiana seafood Chauvin. It featured a pecan-crusted redfish filet, wasabi mashed potatoes and a Panang coconut curry sauce finished with fresh lemon, basil and garlic together with Louisiana crawfish tails and buttered fresh crab meat.

Third place winner was Chef Keith Frentz, executive chef of Restaurant Lola in Covington, Louisiana. Frentz prepared Snapper Ella … Pecan crusted snapper, smothered collard greens, crisp andouille, poached oyster broth.

The annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, held every Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans, is a competition among Louisiana’s leading seafood chefs. The winner – this year, it is Chef Cory Bahr – represents Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off on Saturday, August 6 in New Orleans. It is the nation’s most prestigious seafood competition.

“The excitement and competition that surrounds the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is captivating, spotlighting cuisine from more than 75 Louisiana restaurants. The true excitement is to see these incredible chefs battle for the coveted title of King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board.

Photos by Kerry Maloney.

Tags: Cory Bahr, Diana Chauvin, Ewell Smith, Featured, Keith Frentz, Lousiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board