TAILGATE COOK-OFF
‘ The Gulf ’ Restaurant Wins Golden Ticket to World Food Championships
Orange Beach , Ala . - Orange Beach-based restaurant The Gulf recently emerged victorious in the 2nd Annual Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge , presented by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber ( CABC ) and Sunny 105.7 FM .
The event , held Aug . 24 at The Wharf , drew over 600 attendees who sampled bacon-themed dishes from 17 different culinary teams representing Alabama , Florida , and Louisiana . Teams competed for a Bacon Category Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships ( WFC ) to be held in Indianapolis later this year .
" We are excited to see the Tailgate Challenge grow into a premier event for Orange Beach ," said Greg Alexander , president and CEO of the CABC . " The Gulf Coast has always had a great food scene , and we love providing the opportunity for someone to represent the region on a national stage ."
The WFC is the highest-stakes food sport competition in the world . This multi-day culinary competition showcases some of the world ' s best cooks , who compete for food , fame , and fortune in 12 categories : Bacon , Barbecue , Burger , Chef , Dessert , Live Fire , Noodle , Sandwich , Seafood , Soup , Rice , and Vegetarian .
The team from The Gulf , led by Chef Rob Kraatz Jr ., wowed judges with their BLT Tuna Tacos , featuring a crispy bacon taco shell , baby Tuscan salad blend , heirloom tomatoes , lemon garlic aioli , and seared tuna .
Along with the WFC Golden Ticket , The Gulf receiveda cash prize of $ 300 , a WFC cookbook , and a custommade Tailgate Challenge turnover chain courtesy of Big Head Custom .
COASTAL TAILGATE COOKOFF Photos by Ryan Moberly
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