An Auburn chef’s team will represent Alabama in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off after winning a state-level event this week in Orange Beach.
According to information provided by organizers of the Sweet Grown Alabama Seafood Cook-Off, Chef C.R. “Robbie” Nicolaisen and sous chef Gabe Atkinson of The Hound in Auburn won the challenge held Monday at The Wharf. Nicolaisen was awarded a $2,500 grand prize donated by the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama’s “Eat Alabama Wild Seafood” marketing campaign.
“It’s an incredible honor to win this competition alongside Gabe and represent Alabama on a national stage,” said Nicolaisen, quoted in a Sweet Grown Alabama announcement. “We’re proud to cook with the outstanding seafood harvested from our Gulf waters and the amazing local ingredients grown across this state. Events like this celebrate the people behind our food, and we’re excited to carry that story to New Orleans.”
According to a report by David Rainer of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nicolaisen and Atkinson covered Gulf-caught Cobia portions with The Hound’s house barbecue rub and grilled them. The fish was served with a cornbread crumble and a chow chow made with Chilton County peaches and Gulf shrimp…