By Times Staff
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One of the most popular features of the Cape Ann Farmers' Market returns this week — with the defending champions from Sugar Magnolia's in the spotlight at the market's new home on the I-4, C-2 site.
Champion Melissa Hart and her team Sugar Magnolias will once again defend her "throwdown" title — challenged this time by Ryan Cox and a team from the Farm Bar and Grille in Essex. The contest will be Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Cape Ann Farmers' Market site off Rogers Street.
Under the "throwdown" rules, chefs may bring three of their favorite ingredients to the contest and, once they are told the secret seafood they will be using, they're given $25 and have 15 minutes to shop the Farmers Market for other ingredients.
After their shopping spree, they have one hour to cook and present their entry for the judge's consideration. This event is free to the public, and tastings will be available for farmers market shoppers.
Seafood Throwdown is a collaboration between the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Cape Ann Farmers Market, Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association and Cape Ann Fresh Catch community supported fishery (CSF).
And while the event showcases the talents of local restaurant and catering chefs, it's also meant to send a message regarding the future of fresh, locally caught seafood, organizers say.
"Our source of food from the ocean is in danger of being taken over by industrial food production models like agribusiness — and with that, our marine environment is endangered," said Niaz Dorry, director of the Gloucester-based Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance.
"Based on everything we've learned over the past few decades, we know industrialization will endanger our environment, biodiversity, food safety, food sovereignty and food security, not to mention the economic and fabric of the communities like Gloucester, that are putting food on our tables," she said. "That's what we have learned from food grown on land, and need to apply to the food we bring you from the ocean."
Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association, agreed that the Seafood Throwdown and the Cape Ann Fresh Catch program that her organization supports, sends an important message.
"With today's uncertain world of fisheries management and the new regulations, it's even more important that fishermen get a fair price for whatever they catch, have a reliable local market that supports them and a community that recognizes the value of their work," Sanfilippo said. "The Seafood Throwdowns are a way to educate the public about the value of our local seafood and the fishermen who bring them to our plates."
Seafood Throwdowns have grown in popularity since their inception here in Gloucester two summers ago. New York City's Union Square Farmers Market has already hosted a "seafood throwdown" in collaboration with the Whitney Museum of Modern Art and the Food Network.
In addition to Gloucester, Seafood Throwdowns in New England are scheduled for Boston Local Food Festival, Martha's Vineyard, New Bedford's Working Waterfront Festival, Marblehead Farmers Market, Maine's Common Ground Fair, New Hampshire's Fishtival, Rye's Farmers Market, and more.
Other Seafood Throwdowns at the Cape Ann Farmers Market this year are planned for July 29, Aug, 18 and Sept. 2 — all from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
