The Culinaria Center, in conjunction with Eat Local NOLA, is hosting the second annual “Best of Bycatch” cooking competition, to be held at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum,1504 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, 70113. Guests will be able to sample dishes from restaurants around the city and pair them with craft drinks from local brewers and distilleries. Judges will be on hand to choose the Best of Bycatch dish, and guests will also vote for crowd favorite recipe. The event aims to encourage consumption of asian carp, an invasive species with growing presence in Louisiana.

4 PM: A farmers’ and fish market, sponsored by Louisiana Direct Seafood /  Sea Grant

6 PM: The Carp Cooking Competition! Featuring chefs from:

•  Cavan Nola
•  Fork and Boot
• the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans
• Louisiana Culinary Institute student John Reason

In addition, experts will be on hand to discuss coastal land loss issues, the importance of restoration and how eating Asian Carp and other invasive species can help Louisiana. Chef Phillipe of the Silverfin Goup will explain the problems that the Asian Carp are creating in the Mississippi Basin’s aquatic ecosystem and share their “Eat the Problem” solution.

This event is part of Culinaria Center’s invasive species project that supports the Coast by encouraging consumption of Asian carp, an invasive species with a growing presence in Louisiana. This is a free, public, educational event co-sponsored Eat Local NOLA, but an RSVP is required. Please RSVP below.