Im really excited to attend the Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown at the Fairmont Royal York on November 21^st. This is the first time I will be going, as in the past I have had conflicts and never made it out. An amazing group of chefs will gather to vie for the title of 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion. Ocean Wise, a national sustainable seafood initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium, and the  2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown is presented by Rickard’s and Granville Island Brewing. Tickets are available at vanaqua.org/chowder-chowdown.

“This friendly, but competitive, cook-off brings together 13 of Toronto’s top chefs as they showcase their original ocean-friendly seafood chowders, paired with craft beer, at this fun and delicious consumer event,” says Mike McDermid, Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise partner relations manager. “The winner, who will be crowned 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion, will be selected by a celebrity panel of judges, and guests are invited to vote for the People’s Choice winner at what promises to be memorable evening of unique and flavourful chowders, all in support of sustainable seafood.” 

The line-up of local Ocean Wise chefs contending for the winning title include:

·         Chef Albert Ponzo | Le Select Bistro

·         Chef Patrick McMurray | Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill

·         Chef Shaun Edmonstone | Bruce Wine Bar

·         Chef David Kokai | Loic Gourmet 

·         Chef Morgan Wilson | Trios Bistro at the Toronto Downtown Marriott Eaton Centre 

·         Chef Amira Becarevic | EPIC at the Fairmont Royal York 

·         Chef Daiji Tanaka | Hapa Izakaya 

·         Chef Kristin Donovan | Hooked 

·         Chef Frank Byrne | Fishbar

·         Chef Thomas Heitz | Port Restaurant 

·         Chef Reuben Major | Earls Kitchen and Bar 

·         Chef Alexandra Gaponovitch | Calphalon Culinary Centre 

·         Chef Stacey Blois | Western University Canada 

Guests will be able to sample all 13 mouth-watering chowders paired with craft beers, and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, while a panel of judges will determine the reigning champion. Tickets are a deal at $45 to sample chowder from this extremely talented group of chefs. I have my favourites, but I definitely wont say who. Who do you think will win?

Learn more about Ocean Wise here:  www.oceanwise.ca