An Ocean Wise pink shrimp taco special at the Vancouver Aquarium; Sourced from the Vancouver Aquarium Facebook page
Vancouver is blessed with access to incredible fresh seafood, which can be enjoyed in restaurants around the city. Part of what makes our seafood culture so special is an increased willingness to make sustainability a priority, both in consciousness and in action.
November has been designated Ocean Wise month! In honour of this celebration, the Vancouver Aquarium and Vancouver Foodster’s Food Talks are presenting “From Boat to Table: The Sustainable Seafood Supply Chain,” a fun, interactive, and educational event on November 2, 2016.
In 2005, the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program was launched in order to aid customers in making sustainable (promotes the long-term stability of a species) seafood selections. Basically, the program is an educational one that partners with businesses in the city in shifting to more ocean-friendly products, which businesses can then label on their menus and signage as Ocean Wise approved. Partners include Blue Water Café + Raw Bar, The Boathouse Restaurants, Miku Restaurant, and The Sandbar.
Ocean Wise BC wild sockeye salmon oshi sushi at Miku Restaurant; Sourced from Miku website
Currently, there are over 650 partners across Canada, which will, hopefully, continue to grow as both consumers and businesses become more aware of the consequences of overfishing.
Sourced from the Vancouver Aquarium
If you’re interested in learning more, as well as have access to the Aquarium after hours, make sure to attend “From Boat to Table.” They’ll be plenty of food for thought (great for during and after date chatting), expert speakers, as well as Aquarium galleries to view.
Sourced from the Vancouver Aquarium Facebook page
I’ve attended many Food Talks and really enjoy the opportunity to listen to, meet, and chat with people in Vancouver’s food and restaurant industry. By doing so, I feel more engaged and informed about the food I’m consuming and the people who are producing it. In short, I feel part of a community.
“From Boat to Table,” will begin at 6pm, at which point you can mingle with others guests and the speakers. In the past, I’ve met many restaurateurs, chefs, food bloggers, and food entrepreneurs during this portion of the evening.
You’ll also have the chance to tour the Aquarium’s galleries, either on your own or in the form of a guided tour for a limited number of guests (sign-up when you arrive; first-come, first served).
Sourced from the Vancouver Aquarium Facebook page
At 7pm, the Food Talk will kick off, with five speakers, moderated by Richard Wolak (Vancouver Foodster). The guests for the evening will be Teddie Geach, seafood specialist with the Ocean Wise program; chef Trevor Bird, owner of Fable Restaurant and Fable Diner; Guy Dean, Vice President and CSO of Albion Farms and Fisheries; Mike McDermid, owner and co-founder of The Fish Counter; and Sonia and Shaun Strobel, founders of Skipper Otto’s Community Supported Fishery (CSF).
Mike McDermid (left) and Teddie Geach (right) ; Sourced from the Vancouver Aquarium website
Each speaker will give an engaging and informative short talk related to issues of sustainability, as well as consumer awareness, the supply chain, and both possibilities and obstacles when it comes to a “From Boat to Table” eating and cooking philosophy.
Image from a previous Food Talk; sourced from Vancouver Foodster Twitter
At these events, I particularly enjoy the Q&A that occurs after each speaker has given their talk. At this point, there’s space for the speakers to interact with the audience and with each other, as they take questions (often provocative) about the topic for the night. Currently, questions I have include: how much of a difference can I as a consumer make when it comes to my purchasing decisions? and how can sustainability be balanced with affordability? Usually, other questions spring to mind as I’m listening to the speakers.
You can also mingle after the Food Talk is over, with doors closing at 9pm.
More info and tickets are available on-line.
Tickets are also still available for the Vancouver Aquarium’s Halloween themed After Hours event that takes place tonight, October 27, 2016. Tickets are available on-line.
