The Gulf Wins Golden Ticket To World Food Championships

Orange Beach’s The Gulf was the winner of the second annual Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge on August 24 at The Wharf. More than 600 attendees sampled bacon-themed dishes from 17 different culinary teams representing Alabama, Florida and Louisiana. Teams competed for a Bacon Category Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships, to be held in Indianapolis later this year. The team from The Gulf, led by Chef Rob Kraatz, Jr., wowed judges with BLT tuna tacos featuring a crispy bacon taco shell, baby Tuscan salad blend, heirloom tomatoes, lemon garlic aioli and seared tuna. Other top-placing teams in the Tailgate Challenge included Island House Hotel from Orange Beach with second place; Blazed & Confused from Robert, Louisiana, with third place; the Orange Beach Police Grill Sergeants with the People’s Choice Award; and LuLu’s with Best Decorated Booth.