Jim Gossen, president and CEO of Louisiana Foods, stands on the beach on Grand Isle, La., in the days following the BP oil spill: Karen Warren/Chronicle

Southern Living magazine has made it official: Jim Gossen, president and CEO of Louisiana Foods Global Seafood Source, has been named one of the “Heroes of the New South,” an award that recognizes inspiring individuals who reflect “the rich diversity of the Southern spirit” and who are “making extraordinary contributions to both regional and American culture.”

The heroes will be featured in the magazine’s March issue which hits newsstands Feb. 24.

Gossen, a longtime expert on Gulf seafood, was recognized in the Foodways category for supporting culinary heritage. The winner of that category is Richard McCarthy of the New Orleans Crescent City Farmers Market. Gossen, a founding member of Foodways Texas, is recognized in the Foodways category along with Poppy Tooker (New Orleans culinary historian); Ronald and Carol David (of the Glade Hill Community Cannery in Glade Hill, Va.); and Nick Pihakis (of the Fatback Pig Project in Birmingham, Ala.). Of the 22 individuals and institutions named as heroes (in five categories), Gossen is the only person representing Texas.

Gossen, a Louisiana native, was recognized by Southern Living for establishing Total Catch, a weekly market that minimizes the waste of fishing-boat bycatch by selling it at retail and working with chefs to use bycatch. The magazine also noted his efforts to rebuild the Louisiana oyster population.

In October, the Houston Culinary Awards (presented by My Table magazine) recognized Gossen for his contributions to the Houston culinary scene and his dedication to the promotion and preservation of Gulf seafood and the seafood industry. He was presented with My Table’s Legends of Houston Restaurants Award. He also was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker.

Congratulations to the hero, Jim Gossen.

Southern Living magazine's March cover.