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 6 p.m. on Friday, and lasts until 9 p.m. or until the food runs out.
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
- 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Food booths open (or until food runs out)
- 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – People’s Choice voting
- 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)
People’s Choice voting is donation-based. Donation buckets will be placed at each team’s table, and the team collecting the
most donations wins the award.
Participant Appreciation
Each team will receive:
- Two commemorative tumblers
- One quarter-page, full-color ad in the official Tarpon Rodeo book
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.
Buy Now
Rodeo Tickets
Tickets may also be purchased at the following locations a month before the rodeo:
Coming Soon
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.
Rules &
Regulations
July 2-4, 2026
Download the 2025 Rules and Regulations so your catch counts.
