For the month of February restaurants and food businesses across Canada will be taking part in the Ocean Wise Seafood Festival, aimed at celebrating sustainable seafood and fisheries.
While seafood fans in Vancouver would gather annually at the Vancouver Aquarium to enjoy the Chowder Chowdown and spoon up delicious tastes of chowder created by local restaurant chefs, the event has shifted to be a nation-wide month-long fundraising dining festival instead, and there are several local businesses taking part.
During the Seafood Festival, Ocean Wise partners across the country sell sustainable seafood chowders, dishes, fillets or packaged products, with partial proceeds donated to the Ocean Wise Seafood program.
The following Vancouver restaurants will have a special dish on the menu this month as part of the Seafood Festival:
- 1931 Gallery Bistro - Vancouver Art Gallery: Chef Gleb Podshibyakin's Salmon Risotto (Steelhead, Arborio, Cauliflower Puree, Edamame, Fennel Salad, Fried Garlic)
- Hello Nori: Chef Jay Pugong's Spicy Shrimp Roll
- Holts Café Vancouver: Chef Aaron Hoffman' s Kyuquot Sound Miso Chowdown (Sable Fish and White miso chowder, Smoked sable terrine, Pickled potato, Brussels sprout, Mustard seeds, Fennel oil)
- Minami: Chef Alan Ferrer's Albacore Tuna and Kaiso Seaweed Tartar (Avocado, red onion, celery, cucumber, chili garlic tamari soy, wasabi crème fraîche, microgreens, edible flower, sesame rice cracker)
- ShuckShuck: Chef Shannon Boyle's Keep Clam and Ocean Wise On (Manila Clams, Pernod, White Wine, lop cheong, Shaved Fennel and Red Pepper)
Additionally, North Vancouver's Cantina Norte and Mamas Fish and Chips are taking part, as is Sailors Seafoods, which has its Honey Mussels from Lasqueti Island which you can purchase online, and Organic Ocean, which has its Chef Select Smoked Sablefish Chowder for sale online.
Seafood lovers are encouraged to try the Festival dishes and vote for their favourites in for the People's Choice Award.
