FISHERMEN’S WIVES vs. CLASSICALY- TRAINED CHEF in SEAFOOD COOKING CONTEST at CHATHAM’s BLESSING OF THE FLEET

niaz Press Releases, Publications

For Immediate Release

May 1st, 2014

FISHERMEN’S WIVES vs. CLASSICALY-TRAINED CHEF in SEAFOOD COOKING CONTEST at CHATHAM’s BLESSING OF THE FLEET

CHATHAM—This Saturday, May 10th, two Chatham fishermen’s wives will compete against chef Jonathan Haffsman, owner of Vers Restaurant & Patisserie, in a “Seafood Throwdown.” The ‘Iron Chef’-style cooking contest takes places immediately following the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Chatham Fish Pier, which is hosted by the Women of Fishing Families (WOFF).

The Blessing of the Fleet, officiated by Rev. Brian McGurk of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, honors Chatham-based fishermen, their families and harvests. This year, WOFF has expanded the blessing to include a mini maritime celebration. Along with the Seafood Throwdown will be a Fishermen’s Olympics with shucking & rope coiling competitions, and kids games. Beer & wine will also be served.

Seafood Throwdowns have been popular up & down the east coast and beyond since 2008, when the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (namanet.org), a regional-based fisheries advocacy organization, started hosting them to highlight the importance of locally-sourced and in season fish. Two teams of chefs go head-to-head in a heated cooking contest to come up with the best seafood dish. After the mystery fish is revealed, chefs get 15 minutes to choose produce trucked in from a local farmer, and to come up with their recipe. Chefs get just 1hr. of cooking, and must present their dish to a panel of local judges, which will be comprised of mostly kids & families.

The chefs are:

For Team WOFF:

  • Becki Lucarelli, wife of lobsterman Sam Lucarelli of F/V Miss Madison, back-yard farmer, and chocolatier at the Chatham Candy Manor.
  • Alison Barabe, wife of shellfisherman Billy Barabe of F/V Laura Hope, seafood a’fish’ianado, and office manager for Stage Harbor Marine.

For Team VERS will be Chef Jonathan Haffmans, classic French culinary training at ROC Zadkine Rotterdam, owner/executive chef of Vers Restaurant & Patisserie in Chatham, advocate & enthusiast of local, seasonal ingredients.

The Women of Fishing Families would like to invite the public to this FREE day, full of fun family and all things fish! The Blessing starts at 11am, Seafood Throwdown immediately following, and Fishermen’s Olympics at 1:30pm.

Contact Shannon Eldredge, 508-958-6580 or shaneldredge@gmail.com for media inquiries.

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