A Gloucester chef now known nationally as one of the final four in Fox's reality TV cooking show "MasterChef" swapped that role Thursday for that of a local culinary icon and a kinder-than-Gordon Ramsay judge at the Cape Ann Farmers' Market Seafood Throwdown.
Christian Collins, who sported his MasterChef apron, was joined by Taste of the Times' columnist and video host Heather Atwood and multiple culinary award winner Laurie Lufkin at the judges' table to judge the seafood-based cooking contest — this time between Amelia's Restaurant and the Breakfast Cafe at the Atlantis Ocean Front Inn.
With the surprise ingredient being skate wings, Amelia's pulled through with a close win with a skate stew and sauteed skate with a homemade relish.
But the point of the event goes beyond the fun, and is centered on the question, "who catches our fish?" according to Niaz Dory of Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance.
"This is to increase public awareness of the industrialization of the fishing industry, the effect that has on local fishermen and to reverse that trend through using your stomachs," said Dory.
MasterChef Judge Collins agreed.
"This is super important," said Collins.
"It's important to use under-utilized fish, like skate, with all the overfishing going on," he said, adding that he supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's controversial catch-share fishery management system.
Collins, who won a local Throwdown for the Dog Bar against Passports in a Throwdown two years ago, gave his imitation of celebrity chef and MasterChef judge Gordon Ramsay at the request of the event's MC, Peter Van Ness of "gimmesound.com."
"Forty-five minutes left," Collins announced in Ramsay's classic British accent as Amelia Lopes, chef and owner of Amelia's, with her helper chef Steven Ferrant and Breakfast Cafe's team, chef Jessica O'Leary and MaryEllen Gigliotti threw together their fresh Cape Ann ingredients.
Prior to cooking, yet as part of the competition, the contestants were given donated Walgreen's baskets, 15 minutes and $25 to run around the farmers' market in order to gather as many various ingredients as needed.
"This is a fun community event," said Collins.
By the end, the judges said Amelia's meal was "Delicious," "Divine," and "Delightful."
The Breakfast Cafe received judges' comments of "On the money," "Put it on the menu," and "Oh my, it's really delicious and original" for their breakfast-style seafood meal.
Collins wasn't the only reality TV star on the scene.
With dozens in the audience and beautiful weather, the event also attracted Joe and Nino Sanfilippo of the Fishermen's team on "Expedition Impossible."
"We came to see one of our own," said Joe Sanfilippo who wanted to meet Collins and discuss the reality TV show life.
The next Seafood Throwdown will be Oct. 15 at Rockport's Harvest Festival.
Jesse Poole can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3447, or at gt_intern@gloucestertimes.com.
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