Jacksonville-based JuJu Seafood earned the People’s Choice Award at the 2nd Annual Crab Cook-Off, taking home a cash prize after attendees selected the local favorite during the culinary competition. Held at the Arlington campus of Young Kids In Motion Academy Inc., the event drew seafood cooks from across the Southeast to compete for top honors in a showcase of seafood and barbecue cuisine. Dot’s Pots of Okeechobee claimed the Grand Prize and first-place honors for Best Overall Seafood Cuisine, while Towns Crab Trap of Charleston, South Carolina, finished third.

Competitors participated in a seafood and barbecue showdown featuring blue crab dishes as well as ribs, chicken and brisket. Entries were evaluated on taste, presentation, texture, creativity and overall execution. The judging panel included Chef Jonathan of Streeter’s Own Kitchen in Jacksonville and local food personality Chenile Brown, known as “The Taco Lady.”

In addition to the competition, attendees sampled a variety of seafood and barbecue offerings, including boiled crabs, shrimp, chicken and brisket, while supporting local vendors and small businesses. The family-friendly event also featured live entertainment and community activities.

Organizer Kim Barbee said the Crab Cook-Off was created to unite the community through food while providing local chefs, cooks and entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their culinary talents.

“We welcomed hundreds of guests throughout the day, including families, food lovers, vendors and competitors,” Barbee said. Winners received cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights as some of the region’s top seafood cooks. The next Crab Cook-Off is scheduled for the summer of 2027.