On this episode of “Hot Off the Press” Chef Pete broadcasts live from the 10th Annual Oyster Cook Off and Craft Beer Weekend at the Hangout in Gulf Shores, Ala. Acclaimed celebrities and James Beard Award-winning chefs along with breweries from all over the country teamed up for one of the Gulf Coast’s fastest-growing food competitions. Participants served up a multitude of curated oyster varieties judged on presentation, flavor and creativity in a blind taste test. The weekend also featured concerts from Rodney Atkins and Anderson East.
OK Bicycle Shop was the Overall Winner and also took first place in the Cajun Category. Hugo’s Oyster Bar held the number one spot in the Rockefeller Category and Walker’s Drive In took the top prize in the Raw Category.
Pete caught up with Sean Beyo of Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall, California to get the story behind one of the West Coasts’s premiere producers of certified sustainable shellfish. These marine biologists turned oyster farmers started this operation in 1983 with a five-acre shellfish lease that today includes locations in Marshall, Napa and San Francisco.
Pete also took the stage with one of the most influential pit-masters in the industry today, Chris Lily of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q. Widely recognized as one of the oldest and most prestigious barbecue restaurants in the world, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q was founded in Decatur, Ala. in 1925. Lilly is a five-time Memphis in May Grand Champion and seven-time winner of the Pork Category. Other competition accolades include Grand Champion of the American Royal Invitational, Reserve Grand Champion of the Jack, winner of the inaugural King of the Smoker and first place ribs at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo World Championships.
On this episode, you’ll also here from Oyster Cook Off host and Food Network star Martie Duncan, Pensacola chef and cookbook author Irv Miller, Guerrilla Gourmet owner James Carter and many more.