Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff

The 15th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff will be held on Sunday November 3rd from 12-3 pm at Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill in Nags Head, North Carolina.

Local chefs will compete to prepare the best shrimp dish. The event will also featured a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will benefited the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research! Tickets are $30 each and available at the link below, stay tuned to this site for updates on local competitors and sponsors!

15th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff competing restaurants will be:

Outer Banks Brewing Station

Sandtrap Tavern Bar and Grill

Saltbox Cafe

Thai Room Restaurant

1587 Restaurant and Lounge

Lost Colony Tavern

Goombay’s Grill and Raw Bar

Stripers Bar and Grille

Sal’s Pizza

Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen

Thank you to our sponsors for this year: Nags Head Dolphin Watch, Outer Banks Veterinary Hospital, Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar, Kitty Hawk Kites, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, and Access Design!

Tickets for the 15th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff are now on sale! Tickets may be purchased in advance using the link below or may be purchased at the door on the day of the event. Tickets are $30 each and include entry to the event, shrimp samples, and a voting ticket. Actual tickets will not be provided to those purchased in advance; we will have a list on the day of the event.



Number of Tickets



Congrats to the winners of the 14th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff:

Chef’s Choice winner: The Thai Room with Lon Kung: Shrimp simmered in coconut milk and tamarind

Judge’s Choice winner: Sandtrap Tavern with smoked gouda and cheddar grit cake w/creole sauce and grilled shrimp

People’s Choice winner: Lost Colony Tavern with Dublin Lawyer: Shrimp in an Irish whiskey cream sauce served with Irish soda bread

Thanks to everyone that came out to support the 14th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff!

The 14th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff was held on Sunday November 5th from 12-3 pm at Mahi Mahi’s Island Grill in Nags Head, NC.

Local chefs competed to prepare the best shrimp dish. The event also featured a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. All proceeds benefited the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research!

Thanks so much to the sponsors of the 14th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff: Nags Head Dolphin Watch, Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Veterinary Hospital, and Access Design!

Thanks to all of the local chefs that competed in the 14th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff! Here is what was served!

Shipwreck’s TapHouse and Grill – Barnyard Surf and Turf: Shipwrecks House Smoked Brisket and Jumbo NC Shrimp Sandwich served Open Face on a Slice of Shipwreck’s Famous Cornbread, Topped with Gouda Cheese and Tangy BBQ Slaw, Finished with Shipwreck’s Housemade BBQ Sauce and Pickled Red Onions

Sandtrap Tavern

Outer Banks Brewing Station – Chipotle Garlic Shrimp with Chorizo Fried Rice and Cilantro Lime Crema

The Saltbox Cafe – The “Shri-Lote”: Sauteed Chili Lime Shrimp/Ricotta and Cotija Cheese Blend, Charred Corn, Avocado Crema, and Grilled Bread

Sal’s New York Pizza – Old Bay Shrimp Bacon Lettuce Tomato: Old Bay Garlic Knot with Marinated Poached Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, Arugula and Cherry Tomato with Lemon Herb Mayo

Ten O’ Six

Thai Room

Lost Colony Tavern – Chef will be preparing Dublin Lawer (shrimp in an Irish Whiskey cream sauce served with Irish soda bread)

1587 Restaurant and Lounge