Earlier this month, gumbo lovers across South Alabama had the chance to sample some of the region's best local recipes at the annual Blessing of the Fleet Gumbo Cook-Off held in Bayou La Batre.

The competition was fierce, but one of the LaForce brothers' recipes stood out above the rest.

In the contest, the Jillott family won second place and Captain Frank won third place.

Sweet Home Alabama Here's how they described the annual Blessing of the Fleet, now in its 75th year: “Beautiful century-old oaks, the beautiful waters of the Mississippi Sound, shrimp boats and the charm of a fishing village welcome all to join in a celebration of the fishing industry in Bayou La Batre, the Seafood Capital of Alabama. The Blessing of the Fleet celebrates life along Bayou La Batre's working waterfront and remembers the people of this small fishing village who were lost at sea.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten