The Provincial Government is again making a contribution of $10,000 to the Second Annual Student Seafood Cooking Competition in order to ensure the event�s continued success and prominence. The competition is sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Chefs Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. The competition was first held in 2007. It was such a great success last year that it is now being established as an annual event.

"My department is extremely pleased to support this initiative again this year," said the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Newfoundland and Labrador has the finest seafood products in the world and we are home to some of the most skilled chefs in seafood preparation, anywhere in the world. As a government we are proud to support continued development in this area by offering an important opportunity to cooking students."

The $10,000 contribution is being provided to this initiative through the department�s Market Development Program. This contribution will be used to assist with the general organization of the event and to fund the prize which is an opportunity for the winners to showcase their prize winning dish at the International Boston Seafood Show.

"The International Boston Seafood Show is the largest and most high profile seafood show in North America," said Minister Rideout. "Newfoundland and Labrador has historically had a large representation at this particular event and we are extremely pleased to send the winners of this competition to the show again in 2008. Our government has placed particular emphasis on the marketing of our province�s seafood. We are pleased to sponsor this event so that the winners and their recipes can be part of that marketing effort."

Six teams have entered this year�s competition including teams from various campuses of the College of the North Atlantic throughout the province and the St. John�s campus of Academy Canada. Each team is required to prepare an appetizer using coldwater shrimp and a main course using coldwater shrimp and fresh mussels.

"We wish all the competitors much success during this year�s competition," said Minister Rideout, "and look forward to the growing prominence of this competition into the future."

This year�s competition will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2:00 p.m., at the St. John�s campus of the College of the North Atlantic. The 2008 Boston Seafood Show will take place from February 24 to 26.

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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

2008 01 25                                                  10:10 a.m.