A chef from Cleveland, Tennessee has been crowned the 2025 King of American Seafood during the 21st annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans last weekend.
According to Louisiana Seafood, the competition was held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 2 in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase.
Competition officials said Chef Wesley True of Cleveland’s Inman Social prepared fried catfish with herb aioli, smoked trout roe, hot sauce vinaigrette, and peaches.
“I’m shocked. I competed some years ago and got second place back in the 3rd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in 2006, so I can’t believe I’m here right now. This is incredible,” True said. “Seafood is just such an important ingredient. We don’t have it locally in Tennessee, obviously but the fact that we can get it locally and do something special with it is what matters
“We really had an outstanding competition today with some very talented chefs, the best we’ve had for this event. The dishes created were stunning. It wasn’t an easy task for our judges to determine our 2025 King of American Seafood,” said Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. “Beyond naming the best seafood chef in America, we also get to show off the exceptional quality of Gulf seafood and encourage the competitors to continue or start featuring our products in their restaurants. It truly is a wonderful opportunity to further showcase to the nation all the things in Louisiana that will Feed Your Soul. We are already preparing for next year.”
