After a three year hiatus, Seafood Throwdown is back at the Rye Farmers Market! Its a friendly cooking competition between two local chefs. Learn about the fishermen, the whole fish and taste the Fruits of our Ocean. 
The chefs Jesse Minard and Chef Ian Whipple are friends, both men have been around cooking for most of their lives.
After a three year hiatus, Seafood Throwdown is back at the Rye Farmers Market! Its a friendly cooking competition between two local chefs. Learn about the fishermen, the whole fish and taste the Fruits of our Ocean.
The chefs Jesse Minard and Chef Ian Whipple are friends, both men have been around cooking for most of their lives.
Ian Whipple was born in upstate New York, and moved to Seattle as a child. His mother , and subsequently his grandfather (a Sicilian immigrant) gave him his early introduction into cooking. My first job was in a restaurant as a dishwasher and the vast majority of my adult life has been in kitchens.
Recently he has cooked for the Dolphin Striker, Blue Sky, Epoch, and Is currently part of the team at Anneke Jan’s.
In cooking, Ian finds a connection between tradition and creativity that doesn’t exist for him in other facets of his life. ian says “Much like my life, I often know what the “right” thing to do is, and often choose a different path. I think participating in throw down is an excellent opportunity to put myself under pressure and see what happens.”
Jesse Minard is from New Hampshire and his interest in food was fostered by his mother. And as he got older his cooking was for his family, especially his younger brother. His first job was as a dishwasher at the Gateway Family Restaurant in Lee, NH. What became a necessary part of his life became an outlet for his creativity.
Jesse has cooked at many places including Coat of Arms and Brazo. You can find him now at Serenity Cafe in Rye. He divides his time between cooking and stonework, another important part of his practical but creative side.
The Emcee for this event is Jaci Grote, She will give you a play by play of the Seafood Throwdown action!
Jaci has lived in Rye for 12 years.
Elected to the planning board for 5 years
Appointed to Conservation Committee this year; Part of the team that started the Rye Farmers Market 5 years ago
Loves living here and when not working walks in the Rye forest with her three dogs Derby, Dudley and Dory
She is married to Otto Grote who was elected to the House Representative and served on the Criminal Justice Committee.
The Judges for this event will include: Mel Low, founder of the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market; Kelsea Anderson, local Rye fisherman; Jim Raynes, chair of the Rye Conservation Commission; and Jonathan Drake, local Rye fisherman.
