PORTLAND, Maine — On July 17, the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative(MLMC) headed to the Midwest and brought a taste of Maine to chefs and culinary influencers in Chicago during a Maine Lobster-inspired industry night event. The MLMC hosted the event to educate and inspire local chefs and industry leaders in one of the largest and most influential food hubs in the country.
In partnership with prominent Chef Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster, the MLMC hosted a "Maine After Midnight" celebration with the city's top chefs and media to educate them about the iconic seafood. The event highlighted the culinary versatility of Maine Lobster, the seasonal delicacy of Maine New Shell Lobster and the unparalleled sustainable fishing practices in place to keep the fishery healthy.
"I recently visited Maine and saw first-hand the fishery in action," said Chef Giuseppe Tentori. "As a chef, I take great pride in the ingredients I feature and serve to my guests. I was able to meet the fishermen who harvest Maine Lobster and saw the pride that they have for the product and the passion they have for ensuring the future of the fishery."
Event attendees immersed themselves into the rich history of the Maine Lobster industry, learning straight from the source, as several Maine Lobstermen mingled with guests to educate them about the industry.
"Lobstering for us isn't just a job, it's a way of life," said Chris Welch, Maine Lobsterman. "We are so excited to be able to share our stories with these chefs and educate them about what goes into harvesting Maine Lobster and the pride we take in working hard to maintain the fishery."
"I once called Chicago home, so I know how passionate the city is about food and knowing the source," said Matt Jacobson, Executive Director of the MLMC. "Through these events, we hope to educate and inspire chefs to get excited about this amazing product and understand how it's harvested and just how integral it is to the people of Maine."
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative is bringing "Maine After Midnight" to tastemakers in culinary epicenters across the country throughout the season including Dallas, San Francisco and New York City. For the latest on these events, follow #MaineLobster and connect with MLMC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit www.lobsterfrommaine.com.
About the MLMC
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC), founded in 2013, is funded by Maine Lobster harvesters, dealers and processors to grow demand, both for whole live lobster and a variety of value-added products. The MLMC supports that objective by promoting the core values of the Maine Lobster industry, which are sustainability and traceability that's deeply rooted in tradition. The industry has been self-regulating for more than 150 years and in 2013 achieved the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, allowing Maine Lobster to officially certify its long-standing sustainable practices. To learn more about the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and Maine Lobster industry, visit www.lobsterfrommaine.com.
Source: Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative