Renowned American cinematographer, actor, and author Alton Brown Spices Up The Dauphin Island Gumbo Cook-Off when the second edition of this annual event gathered more than 3,500 people on the weekend. The organizers at Dauphin Island gumbo cook-off claimed three times more visitors to the event this year.

Brown-featured event drew huge crowd

Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce’s President Gene Fox said that only 1,000 people attended the event last year because of the BP’s oil spill. However, Brown’s presence at the event this year showed an overwhelming response.

Good Eats star shares his love for seafood

The crowd cheered at star of Food Network television show, ‘Good Eats’ and main commentator on ‘Iron Chef America’, Alton Brown, when he shared his love for seafood at the gumbo cook-off. "I love sustainable seafood and want to let people know that American seafood’s back, Gulf seafood’s back," he said. Expressing his views, Brown, who was on the island to promote American food, said that the U.S. should not import seafood from other nations and called on the fans to avoid eating at restaurants that don't serve American seafood.

Competition at gumbo cook-off

Besides featuring Alton Brown at gumbo cook-off, the March 26 event organized a competition in which some 21 teams, with their own variations, vied for the best flavor in a seafood category. They also had a "freestyle" category, under which the chef was allowed to include any ingredient he wants, explains Freestyle’s Head Judge Kevin Brooks. Some of freestyle category dishes were Andouille sausage, lima beans, duck and even alligator.

Mayor Jeff Collier pleased with event’s success

The crowd’s turnout has apparently pleased Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, who described it as a good start to the spring and summer, undoubtedly. With the event’s success, the gumbo ‘traditionalist’ mayor, who favored shrimp, crab or oyster in the mix, hoped that the gulf coast could bounce back from last year’s oil spill.  “We're a very resilient people and a very resilient community, people want to enjoy the resources that are here not only on the island but all throughout the gulf coast so we're an easy sell,” says Collier.

John’s concert on May 14 to promote tourism

The Saturday’s event also briefly announced to host a Dr John’s concert on May 14 – an event aimed at promoting the region’s tourism especially after the last year’s oil crisis. Fox confirmed about the tentative plans without disclosing details.

Event’s winners

ACP Real Estate was named the overall winner followed by The Lust Spice Co and Exxon Mobil Corporation. OK Bicycle Shop won the freestyle category. Dixey Bar Association and Team Sheriff grabbed the second and the third places respectively. Exxon Mobil Corporation won the Best Tent Decoration and People’s Choice awards.

Brown later shared a few jokes and answered crowd’s questions before the awards of The Dauphin Island Gumbo Cook-Off were handed out. He said that his favorite food is gumbo or anything his wife makes.

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