LOUISIANA CULINARY INSTITUTE WINS FIRST PLACE AT THIRD ANNUAL LOUISIANA ALLIGATOR SOIRÉE

Release Date: 07/23/2009

Students from the Louisiana Culinary Institute won first place at the 2009 Louisiana Alligator Soirée for their Louisiana alligator appetizer and entrée. 

The appetizer, "Marie Laveau a la Gator," was Kataifi wrapped Louisiana alligator over goat cheese and green onion grits with clear Panola pepper jelly sauce.  The team's winning Louisiana alligator entrée was "Gator Stuffed Quail." 

The competition was held at the Louisiana Foodservice EXPO in the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on July 19.  

The winning team included Louisiana Culinary Institute Dean of Education, Ross Headlee; Team Captain, Nathan Roose; Chef Pat Mahon, Cody Carroll, Samantha Neal, Jeremy Barlow and Julius Thompson.

The team of students from Delgado Community College placed second at the soirée and Louisiana Technical College placed third.  Sowela Community College also took part in the competition.

Each team had two hours to create an award winning Louisiana alligator appetizer and entrée for the judges.  This year's judges were Craig Rogers of Gulfscapes Magazine, Chef Nathan Gresham of Galatoire's Bistro and Chef Tom Wolfe of Wolfe's on Rampart.  The emcee for the event was Chef Greg Reggio of Zea Rotisserie and Grill. 

The audience enjoyed a Louisiana alligator cooking demonstration and samples courtesy of Chef Duke LoCicero of Café Giovanni.

"We always really enjoy hosting this event," said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.  "We look forward each year to what these talented culinary schools will create with Louisiana alligator meat, and they just keep coming back each year and outdoing themselves."

Sponsors for this unique competition included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and FishWatch, Michelob Brewing Co., Shell, Southwest Cargo, Whole Foods Market, Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council, Seafood Business Magazine, Gulfscapes Magazine,  Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, Culinary Concierge Magazine, Royal Sonesta New Orleans Hotel, Loubat Food Service Equipment and the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

For more information, contact Ashley Roth at 504-286-8735 or 228-342-0659 or Ashley@LouisianaSeafood.com.

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