Eight individuals demonstrated the quality and versatility of Newfoundland and Labrador seafood products in fine style at a seafood cooking competition held this past weekend. Crystal Bourne and Dean Byrne, both of the Academy Canada St. John�s campus, were declared the winners of the competition and will now be traveling to Boston to attend the International Boston Seafood Show in March.

"I offer my sincere congratulations to everyone who participated in this competition, and I would like to particularly acknowledge the winners," said the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Newfoundland and Labrador has the finest seafood products in the world, and all participants have certainly demonstrated the variety and quality by which these products can be prepared."

The four teams were asked to prepare an appetizer from Newfoundland and Labrador coldwater shrimp, and a main course prepared from both coldwater shrimp and locally-farmed salmon. The appetizer prepared by the winning team was a unique North Atlantic Coldwater Shrimp Salad and the main course was Pan Seared Atlantic Cod.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture contributed $10,000 toward this initiative. This funding was used to assist with the general organization of the event and send the winners to the Boston Seafood Show. The funding was made available under the Market Development Fund of the Fisheries Development Program. In Budget 2006, funding for this program was increased by $250,000 for each of the next four years, for a total of $700,000 annually.

"The International Boston Seafood Show is one of North America�s largest seafood events," said Minister Rideout. "Our government places this show in high regard and looks to make the most of the opportunity to promote our province�s seafood. Increasing the provincial representation at the show is extremely important and, therefore, we are pleased to be sending Crystal and Dean to the show. I am certain that it will be an unforgettable experience for them, and I am equally certain that many people from around the world will be interested in tasting their recipe."

Minister Rideout added that the department hopes to make this competition an annual event.

"We hope that this event builds prominence over time, in order to continue our promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador seafood products," said the minister.

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca

2007 02 14                                               10:10 a.m.