October 13, 2011 GULF SHORES, Ala. (GSA) — The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival Presented by Zatarain’s is underway, and organizers have chosen the vendors they believe represent the best of what the Festival has to offer. Winners were chosen in the food, fine arts and arts and crafts categories.

The winner of the coveted “Best of the Fest” award for food won’t have to go far to bring the ribbon home. Boudreaux’s Fresh Seafood Market of Gulf Shores impressed judges with their “Mama’s Crab Cakes,” Southern fried shrimp and fried blue crab claws. One of the judges – whose names are not revealed – said the fare from Boudreaux’s really impressed him. “That’s good old-fashioned festival food at its finest,” he said.

Owner Chris Schley (pronounced “sly” for broadcast outlets) said he almost did not get his booth open in time to take part in the competition. “We were sweating it,” he said. “You have to have your booth open by a certain time, and we were literally a minute or two away from being disqualified.”

With the opening behind him, Schley was in the middle of his lunch rush when he saw several Festival officials walking to his booth. Festival Chairman Ron Kutter asked to speak with him and then informed him of the win. “The judges had me scared when they came up,” he said. “After they told me I won, you couldn’t slap the smile off my face.”

Taking home the “Best in Show” award in the fine arts category was photographer Liv Colbert of Cumby, Texas. First place went to sculptor Tony Krysinsky, second place to jewelry designer Queen Uokes Ra of Regal Adornment, and third place went to sculptor Michael Young of M & H Wooden Designs.

“I was very impressed with the works our exhibitors have brought to the Festival this year,” Festival Fine Art Chairman Ron Arnold said. “I’ve been doing this for a number of years, and the quality of work our exhibitors display never ceases to amaze me.”

In the Arts and Crafts category, first place went to Brian Nettles of “Nettles Pottery” and second place went to Evie Davis of “Shabby But Chic” clothing in Pensacola. Third place went to jewelry designer Serge Hung.

“The imagination and the creativity of our Arts and Crafts exhibitors is probably the best I have ever seen,” Festival Arts and Crafts Chairwoman Judy Fitts said. “I would put the caliber of our exhibitors up against most any other festival.”

Chairman Kutter said he was duly impressed with the overall quality of the food vendors the fine arts exhibitors and the arts and crafts vendors. “There’s a reason we attract 300,000 people to our Festival,” he said. “We have the best exhibitors, the best food and the best entertainment. Anyone who doesn’t come pay us a visit this weekend will really be missing out on a great experience.”

The Festival runs through Sunday where Ala. Hwy. 59 meets the beach in Gulf Shores. Hours are 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.