A Massachusetts chef claimed the title of King of American Seafood throughout the twenty second Annual Nice American Seafood Prepare dinner-Off, held Saturday on the Ernest N. Morial Conference Middle in New Orleans.

Chef Quang Tran of The Shawmut Inn and Hope You’re Right here Hospitality Group in Somerville, Massachusetts, earned the highest honor after making ready his successful dish, “Dou of New England Lobster,” throughout the nationwide culinary competitors. The occasion was hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Advertising Board and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser along with the Louisiana Restaurant Affiliation Showcase.

Tran’s successful entry featured a tempura lobster lollipop with lime granita and citrus aioli paired with lobster ceviche, roasted corn, yuzu, pink peppercorn, crispy candy potato and inexperienced crab nage. His victory marks the third time prior to now 5 years {that a} Massachusetts chef has captured the nationwide title.

“Listening to my identify referred to as was an unimaginable feeling. It’s an amazing honor to symbolize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and convey this title residence for the third time within the final 5 years,” Tran mentioned. “As cooks, every part we do begins with distinctive elements, and we’re lucky to have a number of the most interesting seafood and agricultural merchandise in New England. As we speak’s dish mirrored the area itself which is a mix of cultures, traditions, and flavors. There was no higher solution to inform that story than by bringing collectively elements that symbolize the various communities that make New England so particular.”

Chef Ferrell Alvarez of Ash Restaurant and Rooster and the Until in Tampa, Florida, completed second with a Snapper Aguachile that includes purple snapper, chili crunch and aguachile. Chef Mike Parhm of The Optimist in Nashville, Tennessee, positioned third with Binchotan Grilled Gulf Redfish served with Tennessee candy corn and charred sungold tomatoes.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser mentioned the annual competitors continues to spotlight the standard of American seafood whereas recognizing the trade’s workforce.

“As soon as once more, the Nice American Seafood Prepare dinner-Off proved why it’s one of many premier culinary competitions within the nation. The extent of expertise was extraordinary, and each chef demonstrated the flexibility and high quality of American seafood,” Nungesser mentioned. “We’re proud to host this occasion in Louisiana as a result of it not solely celebrates world-class delicacies, but in addition honors the women and men who harvest, course of, and convey seafood from our waters to tables. Their laborious work is the muse of this trade, they usually deserve our assist.”

This 12 months’s judging panel included Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, host and creator of Duck Camp Dinners; Chef Gena Berry, culinary director for Charleston Wine + Meals, the Southbound Meals Competition and the Georgia Aquarium’s Aqua Vino; Eugenio Piñerio Soler of NOAA Fisheries; and Chef Lionel Uddipa, the 2017 King of American Seafood.

The Nice American Seafood Prepare dinner-Off brings collectively cooks representing states throughout the nation to showcase home seafood and regional culinary traditions. The occasion has turn out to be certainly one of Louisiana’s signature culinary competitions, attracting prime cooks and selling the U.S. seafood trade.

Latest winners embody Wesley True of Tennessee in 2025, Erin Miller of Massachusetts in 2024 and Brody Olive of Alabama in 2023.