SPRINGFIELD – Chicago Chef Maurice Jackson will bring his sophisticated culinary take on Copi® fair food to Conservation World during the 2025 Illinois State Fair Aug. 7-17.

Jackson of Chef Life 19 and Bar 19 Restaurant in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood is the reigning WingOut chicken wing contest champion and an enthusiastic supporter of cooking with Copi®, the consumer brand for invasive carp.

Fairgoers can look for Chef Maurice’s Copi® Stand in Conservation World behind the butterfly house and near the Hydrozone tent. Available for purchase are:

• Copi® chili dogs with tricolor tomatoes, onions, and tortilla strip toppings and seasoned fries

• Copi® loaded nachos with Copi® crumbles and sour cream, cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and pico salsa toppings

• Copi® smash barbecue cheeseburger with mayo, pickles, barbecue sauce, and American cheese toppings and season fries

• Bang Bang Wings: Cajun fried jumbo party wings tossed in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce with seasoned fries

• Fried mac and cheese balls with marinara sauce

• Fried banana fritters drizzled with caramel sauce and dusted with powdered sugar

“I’d like to thank the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Fair for inviting me to offer fair food made with what I think is the best white fish available,” Jackson said. “We’ll be introducing Copi® nachos, smash Copi® cheeseburgers and Copi® awesome chili dogs to fairgoers. It’s going to be an amazing time, and we’re going to make sure Copi® shines.”

Copi® are mild, clean-tasting fish with heart-healthy omega-3s and are high in protein. Increased consumption, in conjunction with other removal efforts, will help to prevent them from decimating native fish populations in the Great Lakes and restore an ecological balance to waterways downstream. For more information, visit the Choose Copi website.

IDNR has led the rebranding of invasive carp to combat public misconceptions about the fish and increase consumer interest in this healthful, delicious, top-feeding protein source – all with the intent of helping a new industry become established. The Copi® brand launched in June 2022, generating regional, national and international attention. Illinois processors have reported significant increases in sales since the launch, and nationwide online sales are now available.

“We’re delighted to host Chef Maurice and his elevated take on Copi® in Conservation World this year,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “There continues to be a lot of curiosity about the fish and how to cook with it, and we’re looking forward to fairgoers having a chance to learn how light, delicious and versatile it is.”

For those who can’t make it to the state fair, Copi® can be found for sale in a variety of Illinois locations, including Harvest Market in Springfield, Schafer Fisheries in Fulton and Watters Fish Market in Hamburg; Lakeway IGA, CashSaver and Park to Shop supermarkets; and restaurants and stores in Chicago, including Afusion Restaurant, Bar19 Restaurant and Bar, and Dirk’s Fish and Gourmet Shop.

Illinois e-News Release

Chicago Chef Maurice Jackson bringing his take on Copi® fair food to Conservation World during 2025 Illinois State Fair

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