Top Chefs show the Love for Sustainable Seafood at the Ocean Wise® Chowder Chowdown on February 21

February is the month of love, and in 2019, it’s all about seafood lovers as the 11^th annual Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown takes over the galleries of the Vancouver Aquarium on Thursday, Feb. 21.

This year’s event will feature 14 chowders from Ocean Wise Seafood partners in B.C. Ocean Wise Executive Chef Ned Bell will play backup for his own sous chef, Stacy Johnson as she steps into the Chowder Chowdown spotlight. Other culinary heavy hitters taking part in the friendly competition include Chef Chris Whittaker of Quaaout Lodge and Spa, Chef Welbert Choi of Forage, Chef Clement Chan from Torafuku, Chef Jason Labahn from Honey Salt, and many more.

The goal? To win the title of 2019 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown Champion, as judged by an industry and media panel. The panel will also name a winner for best chowder and beer pairing, and guests will have their say by casting their vote for the People’s Choice Award winner.

This is the first time the Chowder Chowdown will take place in February, and Ocean Wise seafood program manager Claire Li says it’s a natural fit. “We’re well into winter now, and there’s nothing quite like hearty chowders and terrific beer pairings to bring us all out of hibernation for a celebration of Canada’s growing sustainable seafood movement.”

Along with delicious chowders, guests can enjoy brews from some of the province’s best beer makers, including Stanley Park Brewing, Red Racer Beer, Steel and Oak Brewing Co., R + B Brewing, Driftwood Brewery, Howe Sound Brewing, Fuggles and Warlock Craftworks, Moody Ales, The Parkside Brewery, Whistler Brewing and Vancouver Island Brewing. Other beverage providers include Arterra Wines, Peacock + Martin, Lone Tree, Walter Caeasar, Resurrection Spirits, Georgia Bay Spirit Co, Wayward Distillation House and Salt Spring Coffee.

The full list of chefs competing in this year’s Chowder Chowdown is:

Sous Chef Stacy Johnson & Chef Ned Bell, Vancouver Aquarium | Ocean Wise Catering & Events

Chef Anthony Marzo, ARC Restaurant at Fairmont Waterfront

Chef Matt Marshall, Coquille Restaurant

Chef William Lew, Notch 8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Chef Chris Andraza, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar

Chef Welbert Choi, Forage

Chef Daisuke Fukasaku, Fukasaku of Prince Rupert

Chef Hiro Hatada, Hapa Izakaya

Chef Jason Labahn, Honey Salt

Chef Curtis Demyon, Langara Fishing Lodge

Chef Josh Gonneau, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Chef Clement Chan, Torafuku

Chef Chris Whittaker, Quaaout Lodge & Spa

Chef Leah Patitucci, Culinary Team BC

Additional event sponsors include Coastal Shellfish, Albion Farms & Fisheries, Berezan Shrimp, Gindara Sablefish, Planet Shrimp, Organic Ocean, and Transtar.

Tickets to Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown are $78.75, including GST, and can be purchased at www.vanaqua.org/chowder. This event sells out each year so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Ocean Wise® Seafood Program
Overfishing is a major threat to our oceans. With thousands of Ocean Wise seafood partner locations across Canada, Ocean Wise makes it easy for consumers to choose sustainable seafood for the long-term health of our oceans. The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item is our assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice.www.ocean.org/seafood

Media release and images provided by Deana Lancaster, Ocean.org