Cook-Off

The Best of the Catch

$750 in prizes up for grabs

Get ready for a sizzling showdown where the freshest seafood meets the boldest flavors on the bayou! The King of the Catch Cook-Off is one of the most anticipated events of the Golden Meadow–Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo—bringing together local cooks, seafood lovers, and the community for a day of friendly competition and unforgettable food.

King of the Catch Tasting Bracelet

Sample as many of the entries into the King of the Catch Cook-Off as you want with the $15 tasting bracelet! Tasting begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, and lasts until 9 p.m. or until the food runs out.

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Who Can Enter

Contestants may compete as individuals or as teams
Entry fee is $50 per team
Entry fee must be submitted with completed registration by June 27, 2026

Cook-Off Requirements

Each team must:

Provide at least 300 two-ounce samples (approximately 5 gallons) of their entry dish for public sampling
Prepare three (3) presentation dishes for the judges

👉 Tip: The more food you prepare, the more guests can sample your dish and vote for you in the People’s Choice Award!

Eligible Ingredients

Each entry dish must feature at least one Louisiana seafood item as the main ingredient:

Crawfish
Shrimp
Crabs
Fish
Oysters
Bigarno (snails)
Alligator
Frog legs
Turtle

Allowed Dish Categories

Fricassee
Étouffée
Gumbo
Courtbouillon
Sauce Picante
Jambalaya
Anything fried, stuffed, or grilled

Event Schedule

5:00 p.m. – Dishes ready for judges & public
5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – People’s Choice voting
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Food booths open (or until food runs out)
9:00 p.m. – Awards presentation

Awards & Prizes

Each award winner will receive a $250 gift card:

King of the Catch Award
(Selected by judges)
King’s Presentation Award
(Selected by judges)
People’s Choice Award
(Selected by the public)

Support your favorite team!

Each King of the Catch bracelet purchased includes one ticket to vote for the team of your choice for the People's Choice Award.

Download complete rules and registration.

Become a

Sponsor

Support your community and earn rodeo privileges as a sponsor.

Sponsorship levels range from $10,000 to $250. Help maintain the sportsman heritage that makes Lafourche and Grand Isle so beloved.

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Rodeo Tickets

Tickets may also be purchased at the following locations a month before the rodeo:

Coming Soon

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KING OF THE CATCH

Cook-Off

July 3, 2026

Bring home the trophy for King of the Catch by cooking crawfish, shrimp, crabs, fish, oyster, calamari, bigarno (snails), frog legs, alligator or turtle. Purchase your entry in the store. Download the rules and registration form below.

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