Judges sample David’s in quest for state’s best catfish

Published 10:57 pm Tuesday, August 2, 2016

From left are WSFA-TV Anchor Judd Davis of Montgomery, David’s Catfish Owner Bill Spurlin, Alabama Farmers Cooperative’s Jim Allen of Decatur, Alabama Catfish Producers Chairman Will Pearce of Dallas County, and  Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan.

From left are WSFA-TV Anchor Judd Davis of Montgomery, David’s Catfish Owner Bill Spurlin, Alabama Farmers Cooperative’s Jim Allen of Decatur, Alabama Catfish Producers Chairman Will Pearce of Dallas County, and Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan.

Judges in the Bama’s Best Catfish Restaurant Challenge were in Andalusia Tuesday to sample menu items at David’s Catfish House.

The popular restaurant is one of four finalists in the contest sponsored by the Alabama Catfish Producers, which seeks to highlight and reward Alabama restaurants for serving tasty and nutritious U.S. farm-raised catfish.

More than 150 nominations were received across the state. Judges visited David’s and the Old Barn Restaurant in Goshen on Tuesday. On Thursday, they will sample food at Pat’s Perfections in Centre and The Green Leaf Grill in Mentone.

The winner is expected to be announced on Friday. The winning restaurant will receive a trophy, a cash prize and will be featured in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Neighbors magazine.

Alabama farmers currently produce more than 100 million pounds of catfish per year with an annual economic impact to the state of over $158 million.