Proceeds from Cook-Off merchandise sales and donations have benefitted local coastal restoration projects over the years. Click on the projects below to see past projects that we have supported as well as this year’s benefactor.

Coastal Studies Scholarship at Nunez Community College
As of 2025, all proceeds from the Cook-Off for the Coast will benefit the Nunez Community College’s Coastal Studies Scholarship Program, providing opportunities for students to earn their degree and directly impact our region’s coastal initiatives. Learn more about the scholarship program.

Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Program
In 2021, we teamed up with several groups for the final step of the innovative Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline project in St. Bernard Parish. More than 20 volunteers installed 20 Artificial Oyster Reefs (AOR) to create a 200-foot-long breakwater barrier off the coast of Comfort Island in Chandeleur Sound. Learn more

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Restoration Programs
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s restoration programs engage volunteers and stakeholders in hands-on restoration work to learn about and protect Louisiana’s coastal habitats. Each year our Native Plants Program and Oyster Shell Recycling Program host dozens of events and bring hundreds of volunteers into the field. Proceeds from the 2023 and 2024 Cook-Off went to help these wonderful volunteer programs and Nunez College. Learn more about CRCL.

St. Bernard Parish 4H Black Mangrove Program
The St. Bernard Parish 4H Black Mangrove Program was initiated in 2016 for the purpose of expanding the reach of healthy black mangroves stands in the Biloxi Marsh while educating local youth on the benefits of revegetation as a restoration tool. In 2019, Cook-Off for the Coast raised almost $5,000 for the program. Learn more

St. Bernard Wetlands Foundation
In 2017, the inaugural Cook-Off for the Coast raised awareness of coastal restoration efforts and more than $4,400, which was granted to St. Bernard Wetlands Foundation in support of tree plantings to help reduce impacts from storm surge and flooding, as well as improve water quality and create habitat for fish and wildlife. Learn more

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