Seafood Cooking Contest

Each year, amateur chefs compete in the annual Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest. The event attracts visitors and contestants from all over the world, as well as print and broadcast media channels.

Amateur chefs age 18 and older compete for $525 in prize money during this popular event.

A panel of judges select the winner based on creativity, suitability of the seafood to the recipe, and simplicity.

The application deadline is July 15, 2026. No submissions will be accepted after that date.

The recipes can be any dish and must contain seafood found in Maine waters.

The contest begins at 9 am, Friday, July 31, 2026 in the Entertainment Tent on the festival grounds. Judging begins at 11:30 am, with prizes announced and awarded around 12:30 pm First prize is $200, second prize is $175, and third prize is $150.

The contest audience will have the opportunity to sample the prepared recipes in the cooking area and pick up the contestants’ recipes after the awards are presented.

For additional contest details, contact Celia Knight by e-mail at [email protected] or call 207-542-1192.

Applications are due July 15, 2026.

Watch the 2023 Seafood Cooking Contest

1^st Place – Lily Matthews (Lobster Gruèyre Arancini)

2^nd Place – Susan Baines (Maine Lobster Shortcake)

3^rd Place – Priscilya Hawkes (Ocean Lasagna)

Honorable Mention – Dan Carberg (Buttery Lobster Croquettes)

Honorable Mention – Hilary Mallette (Lobster Gumbo)

Call for Maine Lobster Festival Cooking Contest

Amateur chefs are invited to sign up for the annual Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest. The contest is part of the annual Festival which is held at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine along the city’s waterfront.

Eligibility: The contest is open to amateur cooks only, 18 years or older. Maine Lobster Festival members or directors, employees of Bangor Daily News and professional food experts are not eligible.

Requirements: Recipes must be original, not copied from any source. Recipes must contain seafood found in Maine waters (can be fresh, frozen or canned). Contestants must bring their own utensils and all ingredients necessary to make recipe, a table setting/décor for presentation, and a cooler, if needed. Contestants will be reimbursed up to $50 for ingredients. Receipts must be provided for reimbursement. Stoves and preparation space will be provided for contestant’s use.

Selection Process: Five contestants will be chosen from all submissions. Multiple recipes per contestant may be submitted. However, only one recipe per contestant will be selected, and each recipe must be submitted in a separate application. Each recipe must list all ingredients and amounts. Recipe must include a full explanation of preparation, cooking requirements, and time necessary to make recipe from start to finish. In the event of similar recipes, the earliest entry will be considered. Deadline for submitting recipes is July 15. Selected contestants will be notified by July 17. A panel will select the final five recipes based on creativity, suitability of the seafood to the recipe and simplicity.

Contest: Selected contestants will prepare their recipes on the Festival grounds, Friday, July 31, 2026. Setup and preparation starting time is 9 am. Judging begins at 11:30 am. Prizes will be announced and awarded around 12:30 pm. The contest audience will have an opportunity to sample the prepared recipes in the cooking area after awards have been presented. First prize – $200 / Second prize – $175 / Third prize – $150. Lead sponsor for this event is Fiore Olive Oils and Vinegars.