Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, a locally-owned restaurant in Destin, was awarded the honor of representing the state of Florida in the 19th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off held on August 5, 2023.
The national juried competition held in New Orleans was started by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board in 2004 and promotes domestic, sustainable seafood.
- The chosen state representative chefs prepared dishes in front of a live audience and then presented their culinary creations to a panel of notable national judges.
- Dishes were judged based on creativity, composition, flavor, craftmanship, and presentation.
After a second-place win last year, Brotula’s in Destin, FL was selected to return to the competition and created a locally inspired seafood dish. This year, Executive Chef Orion Cordoves, presented a Pan Seared Gulf Coast Brotula & Slipper Lobster.
The Bearded Brotula, the restaurant’s namesake, is a lesser-known deep-water fish which offers a sweet flavor profile. The Brotula was paired with a tender Slipper Lobster which is commonly caught on the reefs off-shore Destin-Fort Walton Beach by divers. Locally, it is considered a “divers delight.”
Executive Chef Cordoves of Havana, Cuba brings his passion and expertise to Bald & the Beard Restaurant Group creating innovative dishes. His success as a professional chef with the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas as well as the Chef de Cuisine at Harrah’s Casino in Memphis is due to his love and respect for the tastes and traditions of international flavors, combined with his desire to experiment.
- “I’m still training and always will be, it just doesn’t stop. There are always new methods and techniques. approach food preparation with gratitude and respect for the bounty of the land and seek out the freshest, seasonal, and local foods for the meals I prepare,” said Cordoves.
One Response
“OMG, I’ve known Orion and his family since he was very young — such a hardworking, respectful, big‑hearted man. He was an amateur Greco‑Roman wrestling world champion! What an honor and a deep respect to know that he is now a champion in a new arena, succeeding as an outstanding chef here in the United States.”