Eighth 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 eighth annual Cook-Off for the Coast will offer free family-friendly fun on Saturday, February 28, 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.

“For the eighth year, we are honored to host this signature event at Docville Farm, where it has become a cherished community tradition,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “The Cook-Off brings people together to celebrate our cultural heritage and support innovative solutions for the future of coastal Louisiana.”

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

T Marie and Bayou Juju will provide live Cajun and Zydeco 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 engaged in coastal restoration, invasive species, urban stormwater management and other issues addressing and celebrating the culture and economies of Southeast Louisiana will be on hand with information and kid-friendly activities.

Cook-Off for the Coast showcases the abundant resources that make Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise special,” said Connor Gilbert, sportsman outreach coordinator for Vanishing Paradise. “Having the opportunity to engage with local communities about critical conservation and restoration work highlights the importance of protecting these areas and traditions for future generations.”

All proceeds from the 2026 Cook-Off for the Coast will benefit the Nunez Community College Coastal Studies Scholarship Endowment. This endowment will strengthen the resilience of St. Bernard Parish and wider coastal Louisiana by training the coastal restoration workforce of tomorrow.

“This annual event brings people together to strengthen ties with our coastal communities, showcase the bounty of Louisiana and support the next generation shaping our coast’s future,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. 

The 2025 Cook-Off raised more than $26,000 for the Nunez Community College Coastal Studies Scholarship Endowment.

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 Nunez Community College’s Coastal Studies Scholarship Endowment. 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 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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