SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – Food took center stage at day 3 of Prize Fest in downtown Shreveport Friday, Oct. 17 during the official cookout – Celebrity Chef BBQ.

People were invited to come meet and eat with the Top Chef celebrities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as they teamed up with local chefs to create a one-of-kind BBQ lunch.

Top Chef Season 22 winner Tristen Epps served as the special celebrity guest at the event, which gathered chefs from across the region and locally; all aiming to showcase their creative work to the community.

“Me and my buddy, Mike, he’s also from Dallas. I thought it would be funny to do yakamen because I knew everyone else would stick close to the BBQ just so we thought we would swim upstream and do a classic Louisiana take on ramen,”

For attendees like Billy Murray and his wife, the event offered more than food and music.

“We travel out of town for a lot of the events so it’s nice to have something like this in our own city that kind of puts the spotlight on us and brings people out of town to see Shreveport does have a lot to offer,” Murray said.

Chef Harmon emphasized the community-driven nature of the event.

“It’s really cool to be a part of it. It’s really community driven, and I just love coming to Shreveport and being able to support people who are working hard. The food is awesome, and we all get to hang out. All the chefs get to have a good time,” Harmon said.

Mike Stites said having all the chefs in one location made the day more special.

“I told everyone all week long that I think today’s going to be my favorite day because it’s the first day that all of us chefs are out in the same spot,” Stites said.

Who will win?

Tickets for the event got attendees three meats, three sides, and a dessert crafted by celebrity and local chefs.