Lafayette chef selected to compete for the 2024 King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood crown

A Lafayette chef was selected to compete for the crown during the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off set to kick off this week.

On Friday, May 31, the competition heats up inside the Bayou Pointe Event Center on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe as Sullivan Zant is set to compete for the 2024 King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood crown. Each chef will have one hour to prepare a dish featuring Louisiana seafood and presented to the judges.

"In Louisiana, good food is just part of what connects us to our diverse heritage and seafood is a big part of that in all corners of the state. From recipes passed down through generations to the culinary creations of our state’s chefs, seafood has created a culinary identity for Louisiana unlike any other state,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “This is a chance for us to celebrate the great contribution chefs around Louisiana and our hard-working seafood industry make to the state that truly Feed Your Soul.”

Born and raised in Lafayette, Zant is the Executive Chef & one of the Founders of Vestal in downtown Lafayette, according to LASCO. Growing up in a household where cooking was a cherished tradition, he developed a commitment to preserving the heritage of Southern hospitality.

At Vestal, Zant showcases seasonal vegetables and proteins, expertly prepared using live-fire cooking techniques on a wood-burning grill and oven. Zant culinary talent highlights include winning the prestigious 2018 Louisiana Seafood Cookoff and then went on to win the 2018 Great American Seafood Cookoff, where he served as sous chef to Chef Ryan Trahan, according to LASCO.

The winner of LASCO will represent Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans on Saturday, August 3, at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. LASCO stated past winners going on to open their own "brick and mortar" establishments, hosting their own culinary television shows, gracing the covers of magazines across the nation and more. The title is currently held by Louisiana’s own Chef Ryan Trahan of the Blue Dog Café in Lafayette. The new King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood will also represent Louisiana at promotional events in state and around the country.

Tickets are on sale now for $60 each. To purchase your ticket online, head to EventBrite. One ticket provides you admission to the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off and the Up Yonder Food & Wine Festival.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and chefs start cooking at 6:30 p.m until 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette Chef selected to compete in annual Louisiana seafood cook-off