News Release

 

 

Portland, ME September 24, 2009--The prestigious title of Maine Lobster Chef of the Year is once again up for grabs and, this year, the public holds the power to determine the winner.  Chefs from around the State entered their recipes for “Fall Harvest”-themed lobster dishes in hopes of being selected to compete in a cook-off competition next month.  A panel of judges reviewed the submissions and, earlier today during a news conference for Harvest on the Harbor, the three-day food and wine festival to be held on October 22-24, three finalists for the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year 2009 competition were announced.

 

 

Melissa Bouchard, chef at Dimillo’s Floating Restaurant in Portland, with her recipe for Maple Butter Poached Lobster Tail with Sweet Potato & Fuji Apple Bisque and Frizzles of Green Onion.

Rick Skoglund, chef at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, with his recipe for Butternut-Mascarpone Lobster Ravioli with Balsamic Pomegranate Spinach Salad.

Mackenzie Arrington, a Maine student studying at the Culinary Institute of America, with his recipe for Roasted Lobster Tail on Braised Cabbage and Cornbread.

 

In a new twist on the annual competition, the public will determine who will be named 2009 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year.  For the first time, the cook-off competition is open to the public as a part of the Harvest on the Harbor celebration in Portland presented by the Greater Portland Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The audience will get a first-hand demonstration of each dish from the three finalists.  After tasting a sample of each dish, the audience will vote for its favorite! 

 

In addition to the three unique lobster dishes, the audience will sample delicious lobster bisque provided by Hancock Gourmet and wine pairings from Maine’s own Cellardoor Winery and Vineyard.  Standard Baking Company will provide a demonstration on cooking with Maine blueberries, including their new recipe for Maine Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake.  A portion of proceeds from the event will go to benefit students in the Culinary Arts program at Southern Maine Community College.

 

We are also excited to announce that Maine Governor John Baldacci has proclaimed the week of October  22^nd-24^th “Harvest on the Harbor Days” to help promote Maine as a culinary destination.

  

Harvest on the Harbor brings nationally recognized chefs using Maine products and blends them with our own award winning local chefs in celebrating Maine as a culinary travel destination.  Last fall, Harvest on the Harbor was named one of the “Top Ten Seafood and Wine Festivals” by Coastal Living magazine and it was attended by more than 3,000 foodies from Maine and around the country.

 

The Maine Lobster Chef of the Year cook-off event will be held on Friday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ocean Gateway on Thames St. on Portland’s waterfront.  Tickets can be purchased through Harvest on the Harbor www.HarvestOnTheHarbor.com and 207-772-4994.  More information on the competition, judges, finalists and more can be found at www.lobsterfrommaine.com.

 

For information on the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year Contact:

Marianne LeCroix,

Director of Marketing

Maine Lobster Council

(207) 287-5140

 

For information on Harvest on the Harbor Contact:

Courtney McMennamin

Public Relations Director

Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau

(207) 772-4994 ext. 234