Celebrate the Return of Spot Prawn Season!

Photo Credit: Frederique Neil

It’s nearly that time of year when food lovers in the city go crazy over the sustainable and local darling, spot prawns. For the uninitiated, spot prawns are characterized by white horizontal bars on their carapaces, as well as white spots on their tails (hence the name). And they have a distinctive sweet flavour that’s amazing!

Here are two events that will provide you with fun and delicious ways to enjoy this season’s catch.

Spot Prawn Festival

An annual rite of spring is the Spot Prawn Festival, now in its eleventh year. This is the big kick-off event that’s hosted by the Chefs’ Table Society of BC and that aims to spread the word about spot prawns’ sustainable, local virtues. It’s a fun date, outing with family or friends, or solo excuse to feast on spot prawns.

Photo Credit: Frederique Neil

This year’s event will take place May 13, 2017 at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf (1505 West 1st Avenue) and will feature cooking demos from eight local chefs (eg Quang Dang from West Restaurant, Shelome Bouvette from Chicha Restaurant). They’ll give you ideas on how to prep and cook spot prawns.

Quang Dang at last year’s Festival; Photo Credit: Frederique Neil

You can try out these cooking ideas at home after you purchase spot prawns directly from the boats at the dock (available from noon to 2pm every day of the spot prawn season).

Photo Credit: Frederique Neil

The main draw for the festival is the spot prawn boil. A ticket will get you a plate with three BC spot prawns, side dishes, and bread from Terra Breads. You’ll also get drink samples from R&B Brewery and Evolve Cellars.

Photo Credit: Frederique Neil

Tickets are $19.75 (plus tax and service fee) and will get you admission into the boil during one-hour time slots (11am-12pm, 12pm- 1pm, 1pm-2pm, 2pm-3pm). They’re available on-line.

Spot Prawn Pop-Up at the Vancouver Aquarium

If you’re looking for a multi-course spot prawn experience, look no further than the upcoming Spot Prawn Pop-Up, hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium on May 12, 2017. Chefs Ned Bell and Rob Clark have crafted a spectacular menu that will be paired with BC wines. Bell is the executive chef of Ocean Wise (the Aquarium’s sustainable seafood program) and Clark is the founding partner of Ocean Wise, as well as the co-owner of The Fish Counter, so the spot prawns will be in good hands.

The night will begin with the opportunity to explore the Aquarium’s galleries as you sip bubbly during a cocktail reception. Spot prawns can be viewed (and learned about) in the Treasures of BC Coast and Strait of Georgia galleries/exhibits.

The sit down dinner will occur in the Marine Science Centre’s pop-up café-turned bistro. The five course menu promises to be spectacular: chilled marinated spot prawns with mango and sweet pepper salsa and spicy crema; spot prawn and razor clam soup; spot prawn ravioli; sake poached spot prawns with roasted northern coho; and sugar kelp chocolate mousse with blood orange marmalade. All spot prawns will be sourced from Organic Ocean.

Tickets are $155 and can be purchased on-line. Proceeds will go in support of the Vancouver Aquarium’s many research, education, and conservation initiatives.

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