Seafood lovers- make plans to join Sweet Grown Alabama at The Wharf in Orange Beach to watch the 11th Annual Seafood Cook-Off Monday, May 18, 2026! Four chef teams from across the state will compete for the award, $2,500 in prize money and the chance to represent Alabama at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Make plans to grab dinner at one of The Wharf's tasty restaurants, then watch the chefs exhibit their skills. Follow our Facebook event here.
Meet the Chefs
As an Alabama native, Chef Chris Ippolito has an intimate understanding of the South’s diverse culinary landscape. Having grown up in a Greek/American household, Chef’s love for food started at a young age in the kitchen with his mom and grandmothers.
After college, Chris moved to Asheville, North Carolina. While living and working in Asheville, he found his calling as a chef. Chef Ippolito found working with local farmers and cooking with the seasons inspiring. Returning to Birmingham, Chris joined Cayo Coco as Executive Chef bringing a sustainability focused approach to their New Caribbean cuisine. Chef Ippolito dish’s are unique yet familiar, blending technique with creativity.
Chef Jason McGarry brings over two decades of culinary mastery and a soulful, technique-driven philosophy to Central in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of the world-renowned Greenbrier Culinary Apprenticeship Program, Jason has spent his career refining a style that balances technical precision with deep-rooted Southern traditions.
At Central, Jason’s mission extends beyond the plate. He is a dedicated mentor to his team and a staunch advocate for the sustainability of Land & Sea, prioritizing seasonal sourcing and ethical purchasing. Whether experimenting with new techniques or teaching the next generation of culinarians, Chef Jason cooks from the heart to celebrate the evolution of Southern flavors.
Executive Chef C.R. “Robbie” Nicolaisen has been nationally recognized in and around the Southeastern United States for his distinctive approach to Southern-style cuisine. Chef Robbie attended the highly-accredited Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, graduating with honors. In 2017 he accepted an opportunity to lead the culinary operations at The Hound. Chef Robbie has recently launched his own new pop-up concept, The Chubby Belly Noodle Shop, highlighting his admiration of Japanese cuisine.
Featured on the show Southern & Hungry on the Cooking Channel, Chef Robbie is also affiliated with Southern Foodways Alliance, Eat Ya’ll, an honorary member of Chaine des Rotisseurs, and active member of the James Beard Foundation.
Chef Emilio Urban is one of the Chefs in charge at Coastal Orange Beach, where he's been since 2023. He studied and worked under award winning chefs Bill Briand and Mike Andrzejewski, and has been working in professional kitchens since the age of 13. His love for food began with his childhood roots and time spent in Mexico.
Some of his fondest culinary memories are cooking in his grandmother’s store where he would help make the fillings for taquitos and pambazo. Emilio says "I can also remember my southern great-grandmother’s fresh gumbo, which we would go out for a night to our blue crab honey hole and stay until we had enough for the gumbo."
Things to Do at The Wharf
The Seafood Cook-Off will take place at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Click "Learn More" below to find a list of things to do, a property map and more!
The Depot Named Champion at Sweet Grown Alabama 10th Annual Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach
Read more about the 2025 contest and meet the winner Chef Ben Rosen from The Depot in Auburn.
Sweet Grown Alabama Expands to Promote Alabama Gulf Seafood
Sweet Grown Alabama looks forward to continuing this strong legacy set by the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission.
Thank you to the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama for their generous sponsorship of $2,500 in prize money to the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off Champion!
