By Joanna Brown
The Advocate
LAFAYETTE, La. — Coby Bailey, a fire captain from Lafayette, has made it through five rounds of The Great American Recipe” so far.
The PBS show pits American home chefs against each other as they demonstrate the dishes that mean the most to their communities and families. For Bailey, that’s the good Cajun cooking that he learned from his mother and grandmother.
| MORE: The importance of firehouse meals
On Friday’s episode, he secured his spot in the cooking show’s final episode with an “heirloom recipe.” For Cajun families accustomed to living life close to nature, that would have to be a sauce piquante — one of those dishes that elevates wild game and makes for a delicious communal meal around the black pot.
Bailey’s alligator sauce piquante, prepared with smoked sausage and Gulf shrimp and served with creamy grits, impressed the judges enough to propel him to the competition’s final round, with chefs Waigal Safi of San Diego and Rex Alba of Columbus, Ohio.
“When the judges were deliberating on who would make it to the final, Rex was like, ‘It’s me or you,’” said Bailey. “I screwed up the pralines, so I thought it was me. And then when they called Rex, I knew for sure I was out — so I was shocked when they called my name.”
Bailey said that he isn’t surprised, however, that Cajun cooking has been received so well thus far by the judges. “I think we have the best food in the world,” he said.
Bailey, who also produces a “Captain Coby” line of Cajun seasoning, is a Lafayette Fire Department captain and U.S. Navy veteran. He has been gathering with friends and family for a watch party at the Yard Goat in Lafayette each Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., where hundreds of people gather weekly to cheer on his success.
“Everything’s been crazy. There’s been tremendous support,” said Bailey. “I’ve been enjoying all of it.”
“The Great American Recipe finale will air on Friday at 8 p.m. on PBS or online.
What is your go-to firehouse recipe?
© 2025 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La..
Visit www.theadvocate.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
