Seafood Throwdown Brings the ABCs of GMOs to the Market Chefs from Common Crow and Addison Gilbert Hospital Set to Compete

Seafood Throwdown is coming back to Cape Ann Farmers Market Thursday, August 20 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Stage Fort Park. This unique cooking competition brings local chefs, fisheries advocacy organizations, local food vendors, and food advocates together to talk about why local seafood should matter to us.

This year, the Seafood Throwdown will focus on the current efforts to label genetically modified foods. Market goers will get a chance to learn about the threat of GMOs to the marine environment, local seafood, fishing communities, and the rest of our food as well as opportunities to weigh in on the issues surrounding GMOs, including labeling campaigns.

The two teams going knife-to-knife at this year’s Seafood Throwdown are Mark Delaney of Common Crow Natural Market and Chef David Gauvin Dining Services Director at Addison Gilbert Hospital. Steve Parkes of Maritime Gloucester will hold his annual fillet demonstration. Secret seafood for the chefs and the fish for the fillet demonstration are provided by Ocean Crest and donated by the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association.

Judges for this year’s event include Nancy Sullivan of Cape Ann Nutritional Therapy, Rebecca Peters Campaign Organizer with MA Right to Know GMOs, and Sean Horgan fisheries reporter for Gloucester Daily Times. Angela Sanfilippo of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association and NAMA staff will be on hand to talk about our local fishing economies and the impact of GMOs on local fisheries and marine environment. We’ll also be pulling at least one audience member to join the judging team so come prepared.

The Seafood Throwdown is a collaboration between Cape Ann Farmers’ Market, the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) and the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association and their Community Supported Fishery project Cape Ann Fresh Catch. Seafood Throwdowns started here in 2008 and now spread up to Canada, down the east coast and up the west coast. NAMA partners with local communities to host Seafood Throwdowns in order to promote the ecological and social benefits of locally caught seafood, the impact of local fishing fleet on the local economy, and role of seafood in our food systems.

Cape Ann Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 3 – 6:30 through October 9th. Always plenty of FREE parking right across the street on Market days. Seafood Throwdown is a free event and begins at 4pm.