Jefferson State’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute recently competed in an event that’s good for the planet as well as the palate.
Chef Kenneth Moore led a team from the college in the 13th Annual Cahaba River Fry Down Catfish Cook-Off and Festival benefitting the Cahaba River Society on Sunday, Oct. 2.
This event featured activities and fun for all ages with a carnival-like atmosphere that includes live music and entertainment, delicious food, hula-hoopers, disco dancers, games, prizes, a Cahaba River Adventure Experience, photo booths, a climbing wall, craft beers and cocktails and so much more!
The Fry Down is Cahaba River Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds from this event allow Cahaba River Society to continue its work to restore and protect the Cahaba (Alabama’s longest remaining free flowing river), the river’s watershed and its rich diversity of life.
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It is called a fish fry-off, but teams were encouraged to prepare their fish dish in any way they wanted. Guests enjoyed fish cold-smoked, grilled, sautéed – lots of creative and varied presentations. Corporate and community team creations were evaluated by a panel of high-profile judges.
The Fry Down has gained a reputation as a community culinary event, and a great addition to Birmingham’s dynamic food scene. It is unique in that there are no other area events including team catfish competition and crowd tasting. Attendees were encouraged to sample all offerings and vote for Crowd Favorite. A team of celebrity judges evaluated each dish and scores it in various categories.
The Cahaba River Society has partnered with Jefferson State for the past four years to remove trash and debris from the Cahaba River as part of the Alabama Community College System’s participation in the Alabama People Against a Littered State’s Spring Cleanup effort.
Find more information about the event at frydown.swell.gives, about the Cahaba River Society at cahabariversociety.org, and about the Jefferson State Culinary and Hospitality Institute at jeffersonstate.edu/programs/culinary-and-hospitality.
