Three big events at BC Shellfish Festival

It’s shucking madness!  Three big events help celebrate BC’s shellfish and seafood industry in the Comox Valley

Friday, May 9, 2014 – Comox Valley, BC –During this year’s BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival, three major events – Comox By the Sea Shellfish and Seafood Celebration, the Seafood Feast & Casino Royale and the Chef’s Beer Pairing Challenge 4-Course Dinner –  are loaded with crowd-pleasing  features  that will bring the celebrations all into one day, June 21, 2014.

 

“The shellfish and seafood being showcased at this year’s festival is outstanding, and that quality comes not just from the surrounding waters but also speaks to the innovative producers and renowned talented chefs,” says Jill Rushton, general manager, Old House Village Hotel & Spa. “This day and our event is very much the culmination of the spirit of the whole week – a combination of dining on a fabulous seafood dishes, creative entertainment and great prizes.  Seriously, we’re going to knock your socks off!”

 

The June 21st events:

Comox By the Sea Shellfish and Seafood Celebration

Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park located in Comox Harbour from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Chefs will be holding cooking demonstrations and preparing diverse and create shellfish and seafood samplings, local aquaculture businesses and suppliers will have displays and produce for sale, and live shellfish Touch Tanks will not only be interactive, but educational. Bear witness to the popular battles for title of Best Oyster Shucker in BC  and the Best Chowder with preliminary guest judges including Nathan Fong, Global TV and Shaw TV’s, The Rush, Quang Dang, executive chef from West Restaurant, David Sider, Wickaninnish Inn and Aaron Rail, executive chef. Live music and a wine and beer garden adds to the celebratory atmosphere. Funds raised from the event will go towards the new training initiative called the Aquaculture Technician Program, at North Island College, which supports a holistic approach to aquaculture training … from species to systems.

 

Seafood Feast & Casino Royale – One of two evening events, the Seafood Feast & Casino Royal will be held at Locals Restaurant and Old House Village Hotel and Spa from 6:00-11:30 p.m. Tickets: $99 per person.

The evening will begin with Champagne followed by an out-of-this-world-knock-your-socks-off seafood dinner prepared by Chef Ronald. After dinner things will heat up even more with tasty cocktails, a Casino Royale and a live band, as well as prizes and seafood appetizers into the evening. A Martini Bar, Cigar & Scotch Lounge and Sweets and Desserts Lounge in Oh Spa will complement the already luxurious evening.

 

Chef’s Beer Pairing Challenge 4-Course Dinner – Taking place at the Westerly Restaurant from 6:00 p.m. onward. Tickets: $65 per person.

The four course meal will be sourced, prepared and cooked by the Chef in a mere 24 hours, featuring ‘the best seafood there is’ and wonderfully tied together by the selection of four Philips Brewery beers to complement each dish. A wonderful low-key long-table style dinner that will blow your taste buds away. On the tail of their Friday night event

 

“Summer is always a festive time in the Comox Valley,” says Linda Bridgman, sales and convention services manager, Best Western Plus The Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre.  “It brings everyone together to celebrate and that’s why we created our Long Table Dinner Series – so everyone can dine together.  In fact, this year, we’re throwing two seafood celebration parties: A Four Course Gone Fishin’ Dinner with Mission Hill Five Vineyards wine pairings presented by Mark Anthony on Friday night and a unique Westerly Chef’s Beer Pairing Challenge co-hosted by Phillips Brewery on Saturday evening. These long table dinner events are always entertaining, with wonderful food and great conversation.”

 

And for those wanting a ticket to the sold out BCSGA Chef’s Gala Dinner, enter to win the festival getaway contest that will provide an opportunity for two to attend, plus one night accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, two tickets to the Comox By The Sea Shellfish & Seafood Celebration, a bottle of wine from both Coastal Black Estate Winery and Blue Moon Estate Winery.

 

For more information, visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com, call 1-855-400-2882 or join the conversation using #BCShellFest with the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre.

About the Comox Valley

Located halfway up Vancouver Island’s east coast, the Comox Valley is well known for its culinary bounty from land and sea. Coupled with arts, music and sporting events, and stunning alpine to ocean resorts and spas, the region is a place of supernatural beauty that offers rich culinary, cultural and outdoor experiences. Comprised of three communities: Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland, and surrounding rural areas of the Comox Valley Regional District, the Destination Marketing Advisory Committee identified in its 2014 plans, an increased focus on creating or expanding destination level events and festivals as an important building block essential for increasing awareness, visitation and economic activity in the region. For more information, visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com.

Events details:

Fanny Bay Oyster Shucking Championship:
Be the fastest oyster shucker and you could win a return flight to Prince Edward Island to compete in the Raspberry International Oyster Shucking Championship as part of the PEI International Shellfish Festival, September 18-21, 2014.

Download the Oyster Shucking Competition Form

Annual Chowder Challenge:
Prepare the best tasting Chowder and you could win return transportation and accommodation to compete in the Vancouver Aquarium Oceanwise Chowder Chowdown, November 19, 2014, Vancouver, BC.

Download the Chowder Competition Form

Shellfish and Seafood Tastings
Salish Seafoods
Macs Oysters
Island Scallops
Fanny Bay Oysters
BC Salmon Farmers Association
Billy D’s Pub and Bistro

Industry Exhibits and Displays
North Island College – Centre for Applied Research Technology and Innovation
University of Victoria – Aquatic Unit
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Bamfield Marine Science Centre
Flying Fresh Air Freight
Vancouver Aquarium
Flurer Smokery