Five
Finalists Named For
"2008 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year" Competition
Cook-off
event, back by popular demand, to be held
July 22nd at Maine Governor's Residence
Augusta,
ME - Five finalists have been selected for the newly
re-launched "2008 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year"
cook-off, to be held July 22nd from 4-6
pm. The festive competition will take place at Blaine
House, the Governor's residence, located on State Street in
Augusta. Press is invited to attend and meet the five finalists,
sample their tasty lobster entries, and meet Governor and First
Lady Baldacci, who are graciously hosting the event to support
the Maine Lobster industry.
The five finalists each will prepare and present their dishes
before a panel of judges at the July 22nd cook-off. Dane Somers,
Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Promotion Council (MLPC;
www.lobsterfrommaine.com)
and Merrill Williams, Editor and Publisher of Maine Food &
Lifestyle magazine (www.mainefoodandlifestyle.com),
also will be speaking at the event.
"Maine
Lobster has always played an important role in our state's heritage
and economy. Maine's lobstermen have recognized that sustainable
harvesting is vital to maintaining the industry," said
Governor Baldacci. "I look forward to this year's cook-off
event for the opportunity to celebrate our lobster heritage."
The
Maine Lobster Promotion Council (MLPC) and Maine
Food & Lifestyle magazine, co-sponsors of the 2008
cook-off event, earlier today announced this year's finalists:
Lawrence Klang, Chef de Cuisine at Natalie's
Camden Harbour Inn in Camden; Pete Murphy,
Executive Chef at Boothbay Harbor's Historic Russell House Restaurant
and Tavern; Zeph Belanger, of Camden's Hartstone
Inn; Margaret McLellan, Corporate Chef of Native
Maine Produce and Shucks Lobster in Richmond; and, Joshua
Clark, Chef de Cuisine at Camden's Atlantica Restaurant.
This
year's competition generated a record number of Maine Lobster
recipes from culinary professionals all over the state. "We
were all thrilled by the great recipes we received from so many
Mainers this year, and are so glad to be able to relaunch this
festive event," according to Somers. "The competition
was really impressive, and that speaks volumes for the high
regard that so many chefs and their customers have for Maine
Lobster."
For
this year's "Maine Lobster Chef of the Year" cook-off,
MLPC and Maine Food & Lifestyle have decided on a fun cook-off
format with prizes to be awarded for "Best Overall,"
as well as for 1st and 2nd runners-up. The "Maine Lobster
Chef of the Year" title will go to this year's winner of
the "Best Overall" category. Judges at the cook-off
event will score the finalists' dishes based on presentation,
flavor, taste and texture. Additionally, event attendees, who
also will enjoy sampling all of the finalists' dishes, will
be able to cast their votes for their favorite dish to determine
the "People's Choice" winner.
"Pairing
such a popular, premium food item like Maine Lobster with such
an interesting mix of culinary talent should make this year's
cook-off event a big draw," noted Williams. "The cook-off
highlights in such a great way the very diverse ways in which
Maine Lobster can be prepared and served, and it looks like
judges will have some pretty tough decisions to make on event
day."
In
related news, Maine has accepted a challenge issued by the Louisiana
Governor's office to send a Maine representative to the Great
American Seafood Cook-Off, to be held this coming August in
New Orleans. Maine's culinary representative, who will be featuring
a Maine Lobster dish, will be selected from the five finalists
at the July 22nd cook-off event to represent Maine Lobster at
this national, televised event.
For
further information about the July 22nd "2008 Maine
Lobster Chef of the Year" cook-off event, call
(207) 287-5140.
About the Maine Lobster Promotion Council:
The Maine Lobster Promotion Council (MLPC) markets and promotes
the sale of Maine Lobster in local, regional, national and world
markets year-round. The Council encourages education and training
of all customers - including wholesale, retail and foodservice,
and end-consumers - about how to handle, prepare, serve, promote,
and sell Maine Lobster.
For
further information, visit www.lobsterfrommaine.com.