July 17, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:
The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, in collaboration with the Port of New Bedford, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Mass in Motion New Bedford, and New Bedford Farmers’ Market, is pleased to present a Seafood Throwdown on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Funded through a Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries grant secured by the Port of New Bedford, this free event will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Custom House Square located in downtown New Bedford. This evening also marks the launch of the New Bedford Seafood brand by the Port of New Bedford.
Chef Edward Roszak, Executive Chef at How on Earth, and Chef Joe Rego, Executive Chef at Cask and Pig Kitchen and Alehouse, will compete to create a winning dish using a surprise, locally caught seafood ingredient and local produce purchased at the New Bedford Farmers’ Market. The secret ingredient is an abundant, underappreciated, and underutilized species of seafood.
Judging their creations will be Chef Chris Cronin, Executive Chef at Farm & Coast Market and two-time Seafood Throwdown Champion; Dan Medeiros of the Herald News and contributor to the Dine Out column in the Standard-Times’ Coastin’; and Diane Nanfelt, co-owner of Kyler’s Catch Seafood Market.
Seafood Throwdowns are a collaboration between the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and fishing communities, providing a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about our local seafood, local fishing fleet, and fisheries related issues. The chefs can bring three of their favorite ingredients. When the secret seafood ingredient is revealed, they are given $25 and 15 minutes to shop the New Bedford Farmers’ Market for additional ingredients. After their shopping spree, they have one hour to cook and present their entry for the judges’ consideration. LImited sampling will be available for audience members. This year’s secret ingredient is generously donated by Kyler’s Catch Seafood Market.
Through a grant with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the Port of New Bedford created a New Bedford Seafood logo to better brand the seafood landed in the Port of New Bedford – the #1 fishing port in the country by value. A website will also be launched as a central location for buyers to find and directly connect with all of New Bedford’s fish processors and wholesalers.