Chef Scott Simpson, of The Depot in Auburn, alongside Chef Morgan McWaters, took home the first-place prize at the sixth annual Alabama Seafood Cookoff. Simpson will now represent the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August, competing against chefs from across the nation.
For the event at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Simpson had one hour to cook his dish, which was a pan seared gulf yellow edge grouper stuffed poblano chile on gulf shrimp, sweet corn and Conecuh bacon risotto with cilantro crema.
“Since we first opened The Depot, we wanted to showcase the bounty of Alabama and the best seafood by bringing it to Auburn, and to be able to represent our great state is a dream come true,” said Simpson.
Simpson competed against chefs Michael Andrzejewski of Fisher’s in Orange Beach, Brandon Burleson of Spart Academy Nutrition Program in Evergreen and Kelly Hargroves of Wind Creek Hotel & Casino in Montgomery to take home the prize.
The Depot is located in the former Auburn train depot, built in 1847, and offers meat, poultry and seafood dishes for dinner.
