OK, you’ve waited patiently now for 4 weeks to see this epic rematch and tomorrow is the day — 4pm Stage Fort Park — weather looks great — and we have a special twist:  Thursday’s throwdown will help answer the question How does local seafood affect the health and diet of young people?  In addition to the pro judges (Lara Lepionka of Backyard Growers and Beacon Street Farm and Hallie Baker of Turtle Alley Chocolates) we’ll have 3 youth judges who will make sure the chefs’ creations are compatible with young people’s palates — a very tall order, indeed.  So bring your kids and get them to try the dishes too.

Here’s a video that Joey made of the last contest between these two culinary giants (check out the end of the video where Angela Sanfilippo tells you what to do with the head of a hake — delicious!)

And here’s the press release from Niaz Dorry of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, who sponsors the throwdowns:

Seafood Throwdown Brings Unique Partnership to Farmers Market
Highlights Local Seafood in Healthcare Industry’s Purchasing Decisions

 Gloucester, MA – Seafood Throwdown, a unique cooking competition that highlights the importance of local seafood in restoring a healthy ocean ecosystem, is back at Cape Ann Farmers Market on Thursday, August 23, 2012 with a twist: focus of this Throwdown will be to highlight the role of local seafood in young people’s health and diet while showcasing the work underway to assist healthcare industry in shifting their buying practices to support locally caught seafood. The Cape Ann Farmers’ Market and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance have sponsored Seafood Throwdowns for the past four years to raise awareness about why “Who Fishes Matters.”

This Thursday’s event is a rematch between Classic Cooks and Sugar Mags. Last year’s Seafood Throwdown winner Julie Ann Geary of Classic Cooks Catering will be joined by Justin Grandin of The Happy Taco food truck. They will compete against 5 time winner Sugar Mags who will be featuring Lidia Sands and Sandro Carvalho with owner Missy Hart cheering from the sidelines … download the full press release PDF here.

After the throwdown, be sure to stay in town for a night of great music at 10 local venues.  See the full music lineup here.