Shreveport chef to compete in Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A popular Shreveport chef was announced as one of the participants in the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off coming to south Louisiana in late June.

Chef Blake Jackson, owner of Mae & Co. and Heron Seafood, is one of 12 chefs chosen by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, who announced the participants in the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off on Wednesday.

“One of the biggest parts of Louisiana’s culture is the connection between good food, good friends, and family. In all corners of our state, you can find culinary creations from recipes passed down through generations. The outstanding chefs we have competing this year have taken those recipes and put their own spin on them and use Louisiana seafood to help create the culinary identity Louisiana has today,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our diverse heritage, the great contributions of chefs around our state, and the hardworking people of the Louisiana seafood and restaurant industries that make Louisiana truly a place to Feed

Your Soul.”

The cookoff will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at The Harbor Center in Slidell. The winner will represent Louisiana as they compete for the “King or Queen of American Seafood” at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans on Saturday, August 2, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Get your tickets early to avoid the event selling out. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by visiting Tammany Taste of Summer.

• Karlos Knott, Executive Chef, Cajun Saucer at Bayou Teche Brewery, Arnaudville, LA
• Kaleb Scott, Executive Chef, University Club of Baton Rouge; Baton Rouge, LA
• Willie Gaspard, Jr., Executive Chef, Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel, Charenton, LA
• Michael Kelley, Executive Chef, Gallagher’s Grill; Covington, LA
• Trenton Oliphant, Executive Chef/Owner, Benteaux Cajun-Asian Fusion; Hammond, LA
• Jaylen Cherry, Head Chef, The Depeaux; Independence, LA
• Alexis Indest, Executive Chef, Whiskey and Vine; Lafayette, LA
• Chase Raley, Chef de Cuisine, Parish Restaurant and Bar, Monroe, LA
• Farrell Harrison, Executive Chef, Plates Restaurant & Bar, New Orleans, LA
• Jared Heider, Chef de Cuisine, Juniors on Harrison; New Orleans, LA
• Blake Jackson, Executive Chef/Owner, Heron Seafood/Mae & Co., Shreveport, LA
• Joseph Fontenot, Executive Chef, Creole Bagelry & Café; Slidell, LA