Food that’s high in vitamin sea
Commercial fishing vessels are gearing up for a mouthwatering battle during the Newport Wild Seafood Cook-Off this Saturday, July 23.
The event puts a new spin on an old classic, with crew members and friends representing fishing boats and serving up their best dish in hopes of bagging a part of the $10,000 prize money. All proceeds will benefit Newport Fishermen’s Wives and the Newport Food Pantry.
“The Wild Seafood Cook-Off will provide a great opportunity to showcase the talents of our fishing community,” Port General Manager Paula Miranda said. “An event like this is a good way to remind community members and visitors that our Newport fishing community provides a valuable protein to dinner tables all over the country. I look forward to sampling the entries.”
Local event planner Jim Myers was at the heart of the concept and led the efforts to organize it. Coming after two years of canceled events and minimal gatherings, he described the cook-off as “the perfect opportunity to create a summer event at a time when people are itching to get out again.”
Vendors and seafood-related information booths will transform the event venue, Port Dock 7, from parking lot to food fair.
The amateur competition is divided into four divisions: crab, albacore, salmon and trawl.
Fishermen’s Wives board member Taunette Dixon said they are looking forward to the cook-off for a variety of reasons.
“Part of our mission is to educate the public on our amazing, sustainably-caught products,” she said. “I think for some people cooking seafood can be intimidating. Fishermen understand the ease of cooking the product that they are catching. I love that people will get to see the variety of ways that seafood can be cooked.”
For the price of admission, guests can expect to sample as many as 20 different seafood creations. For an additional fee, guests can enjoy a beverage in the beer garden operated by Rogue Ales.
While the cook-off is designed to be fun for all involved, there is also serious prize money at stake for the amateur cooks. A panel of judges will award monies to the top four entries in each division, with the winner receiving $1,000 followed by prizes of $700, $200 and $100.
Guests will also have a job to do, as they must vote for their favorites. “People’s Choice” prize money will be awarded in each category, with first place garnering $350, followed by $100, and $50 for second and third places.
The event runs from 11 am to 4 pm at Port Dock 7, 600 SE Bay Blvd. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids aged six through 15. For more information and tickets, go to newportfishermenswives.com.
On the evening before the cookoff, seafood fans will have another opportunity to sample the Pacific’s bounty at the Newport Fishermen's Wives Homeport Dinner.
Taking place on Friday, July 22, this celebration of the local fishing industry will honor important individuals while raising funds for local fishing families.
Enjoy live music by T Ray and the Shades, local food catered by La Maison and Local Ocean and beer and wine from Rogue Brewery, with one complimentary drink per ticket. All of this and a silent auction and desert dash, too.
The event begins at 5 pm at Foulweather Trawl, located in Newport at 1520 SE Bay Blvd. Tickets are $75 each. For more information and tickets, go to newportfishermenswives.com.