MOBILE, Ala., January 4, 2012 - The American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter is pleased and excited to announce the celebrity judges for the upcoming 4th Annual Gumbo Cook-off.

• John Besh – Award winning chef and owner of eight restaurants in the New Orleans, La. area
• Pete Blohme – Chef and owner of Panini Pete’s in Daphne and Mobile
• Scott Dumas – Chef and co-owner of Pinzone’s Italian Downtown in Fairhope
• Will Hughes – Chef for the Gulf Coast Culinary Institute
• Sydney Raine – Local Red Cross board member and self proclaimed gumbo aficionado

These judges will be on hand to select the best tasting gumbo in two categories: Seafood and Chicken/Sausage. Amateur and Professional teams are welcome. For more information or to sign up, call Linda Crowell at (251) 544-6140 or email CrowellL@redcrossalcoast.org.

This tasting event will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm in Bienville Square in downtown Mobile on Saturday, March 31, 2012. The team registration fee is $300.00. Sponsorships from $1,000 to $5,000 are available for businesses and corporations. Please click here for information about teams and sponsorship opportunities.

Proceeds from this event support the programs and services of the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter. Those programs and services include disaster preparedness, response, and relief, health and safety education, and Services to the Armed Forces. For more information about Red Cross programs and services, log on to www.redcrossalcoast.org.

# # #