Sixth Annual Cook-Off for the Coast at Docville Farm

Written By Alicia Vial

Free family-friendly event raises awareness about coastal restoration through food, music and fun

NEW ORLEANS – The sixth annual Cook-Off for the Coast will offer free family-friendly fun on Saturday, February 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish. The event – co-hosted by Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Vanishing Paradise and the Meraux Foundation – raises awareness about coastal restoration by celebrating the bounty and cuisine of southeast Louisiana.

“The Cook-Off has become one of the signature events we host at Docville Farm,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “It represents the perfect blend of our rich culture with tangible solutions for the challenges facing coastal Louisiana. It is always a tasty, memorable celebration that’s free fun for the whole family!”

Local cook teams will compete by preparing dishes featuring wild game found in Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and serve up free samples to event attendees. A panel of judges, including local chefs, will rate the entries on taste, originality and presentation. Trophies will be awarded in the following categories: swims, flies, crawls, student organization and crowd favorite.

Louis Michot, co-founder of the Grammy Award winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, will provide his electrified Cajun music throughout the event. Libations and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase from local favorite, Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou. Additionally, a host of local organizations will be on hand to share opportunities for getting involved in coastal restoration efforts and provide kid-friendly activities.

“Cook-Off for the Coast is a perfect way highlight the plentiful resources of our Sportsman’s Paradise while also educating our community on the critical conservation and restoration we need to do to ensure it’s here for future generations to enjoy,” said Matthew Waguespack, sportsmen outreach coordinator for Vanishing Paradise. “Restoring the Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf Coast is a priority for sportsmen all across the country.”

All proceeds from the Cook-Off for the Coast will benefit the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program, a partnership with Chalmette High School and Nunez Community College, and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program.  

“We are proud to help bring Cook-Off for the Coast to life again this year,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “This premier event helps us to connect on a deeper level with our coastal communities and provides a wonderful way for event attendees to enjoy our culture, while also sharing what opportunities lie ahead for coastal restoration.”

The 2023 Cook-Off raised more than $16,000 for the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program with Nunez Community College and Chalmette High School and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Both programs encourage community participation in protecting and restoring the coast in St. Bernard Parish.

Admission to the family-friendly event is free and applications are still open for cook teams, but space is limited. Anyone interested in registering a cook team should contact Blaise Pezold at blaise@merauxfoundation.org. Several sponsorship levels are also available to support the Cook-Off and help fund local restoration projects. Please contact Chris Haines at chrishaines@merauxfoundation.org to learn more about sponsoring.

Additional support for this year’s event comes from the St. Bernard Parish Coastal Division, St. Bernard Parish Tourism, and Nunez Community College.

For more information about the event please visit, coastcookoff.com.

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About Restore the Mississippi River Delta
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation:
The Meraux Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established by Arlene Meraux to benefit the community of St. Bernard Parish by leveraging its landholdings. Today, the Foundation’s board of directors is presided over by Arlene’s niece, Rita Gue, and members Floyd Gue, Bill Haines, Chris Haines, and Sidney Torres, III. Guided by Arlene’s vision, the Board is implementing an innovative strategy to create lasting change and build a better St. Bernard.

Vanishing Paradise

Vanishing Paradise is a program of the National Wildlife Federation that unites sportsmen to advocate for restoration of the Mississippi River Delta, the Gulf Coast and the Everglades. From partnering with other conservation groups to complete a restoration project that builds new wetlands, to meeting with legislators at the state Capitol, to connecting outdoor industry leaders to the conservation movement, we're educating on the issue of coastal restoration in duck blinds, out on the water and in D.C. — and everywhere in between.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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