Josh Cooper could also be a political guide in Tallahassee however he has one other declare to fame. He’s a winner in nationwide and worldwide culinary competitions, most lately the World Meals Championships.
Cooper clinched the title “World Seafood Champion” within the occasion, held on Oct. 19 in Dallas. His successful dish was pan-seared scallops with caviar champagne beurre blanc.
“This competitors has a few of the finest cooks on the planet,” stated Cooper, whose cooking workforce included his fiancé, Gannon Hunt, and his good friend, D.C. political pollster David Lee. “As house cooks, we weren’t certain we may compete at that stage till they referred to as our identify. It was thrilling and stunning on the similar time.”
Greater than 1,400 cooks from 42 states and 15 international locations participated within the World Meals Championships, which is in its eighth 12 months. Every champion gained $10,000 and a seat on the occasion’s Closing Desk within the Spring of 2020, the place they’ll compete in Indianapolis for a $100,000 bonus prize.
Whereas competing in such occasions is certainly hectic, Cooper stated, he likes the push. “It’s fairly intense however I find it irresistible,” he stated. “I like to compete. I’m a political guide and I performed faculty soccer (at Furman College in Greenville, South Carolina).
“It is a competitors that will get the blood flowing,” stated Cooper.
He has been a contender in different competitions. He was a World Champion BBQ Pit Grasp and he competed on Season Eight of Fox’s “MasterChef,” the place he was defeated by the eventual Season 8 champion, Dino Luciano.
Cooper has appeared on the Meals Community and Journey Channel and was a star decide for an area “Chopped Jr.” competitors held in Tallahassee. He and his fiance lately launched Cooper’s Subsequent Degree BBQ (youtube.com/watch?v=tAJNUtuF2Jg ) and can compete within the Huge Pig Jig in Vienna GA this weekend. Different barbecue competitions are developing in 2020.
North Florida can actually have fun its culinary expertise. Nick Rickman, govt chef of the Salt Block Restaurant in Marianna, Florida, was the 2018 World Chef Champion, was the runner-up at The World Meals Championships 2019 Closing Desk in New Orleans, which Aired on CNBC, and was a High three Finalist at The 2016 World Steak Championships.
Within the Dallas competitors, he acquired a High 10 Medal within the Cooks Class and completed eighth general. He will probably be serving the dish that gained him an ideal 100 in a last spherical — his rack of lamb — on the Salt Block.
Congrats to our prime cooks!
