Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse Named Best Dish In NC
DURHAM, N.C. – International star Bobby Flay of the Food Network will present the “Best Dish in N.C.” first place award for casual dining to Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse local celebrity chef Roy “Mel” Melton at the N.C. State Fair on Oct. 20. Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, the Cajun destination in the Triangle, won for Melton’s Skillet Fried Oysters with Garlic Hot Sauce, Grilled Catfish with Crawfish Etouffee, and Buttermilk Pie with Blackberry Sauce & Chantilly Cream.
The Best Dish in NC competition is the official restaurant contest of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and its Goodness Grows in North Carolina marketing program, which recognizes dishes that feature ingredients from North Carolina. The competition is open to all restaurants in N.C. and determines which restaurants serve the best fare the state has to offer. Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse supports farms such as Carolina Classic Catfish, Simply Fresh, Ashley Farms and Papa Sonn Produce.
“As a native North Carolinian, I am honored to win the Best Dish award,” said Melton, Chef Partner of Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse. “Creole cooking is about how the ambiance, heat, raw ingredients and music all come together. Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse brings good food and good music to the table.”
Melton’s renowned recipes blend locally-grown produce, locally-raised seafood and meat with authentic bayou ingredients imported from Louisiana. He draws on his musical and culinary experiences in Louisiana to blur the lines between food and entertainment, taste and sound.
Along with Melton’s Cajun Creole dishes, the restaurant features appearances with Melton’s own authentic Blues Zydeco band, The Wicked Mojos, as well as other live Cajun/Zydeco musical acts from across the Southeast. The combination of music and food has earned Melton the nickname “The Zydeco Chef.”
“There are no shortcuts in cooking authentic Cajun Creole dishes or performing Zydeco music on stage,” said Melton. “When people leave one of our shows or my restaurant, I want them to feel like they’ve been down in the swamp at a big party and they’ve had a great time.”
About Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse
A combined experience of both Cajun-style cuisine and lively music, Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse reflects founder Mel Melton’s influences that came to him during his long stay in the Bayou State, Louisiana. Melton, a North Carolina native, incorporates locally-grown produce in each course that he prepares. Chef Mel Melton parlayed his unique cooking and musical innovation by highlighting his renowned Cajun recipes and appearances with his own band, “The Wicked Mojos”, as well as other live Cajun/Zydeco musical acts from around the Southeast. Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse is located on Highway 55 in Durham. For more information, please visit www.papamojosroadhouse.com.
About The Best Dish in North Carolina competition
The Best Dish in North Carolina restaurant competition is the official restaurant contest of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and its Goodness Grows in North Carolina marketing program. The statewide competition, open to all restaurants in North Carolina, determines which restaurants serve the best fare North Carolina has to offer. The competition was created to recognize and reward the efforts of restaurants and chefs who use North Carolina products regularly in their menus and to increase public awareness of the quality of food, restaurants and chefs in North Carolina.
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“Buttermilk Pie with Blackberry Sauce & Chantilly Cream…” my mouth is watering already.