MINNESOTA CELEBRATES SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD MONTH WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND DINNER

Apple Valley, MINN September 16, 2014: The Minnesota Zoos sustainable seafood program, Fish Smart, will partner with Aramark at the University of Minnesota and Sea to Table for a one-of-a-kind seafood event, Hook, Line & Sinker: A Tribute to Fringe Fish, on Thursday, October 2, 2014.

This event will include a pre-dinner cocktail reception and a five-course dinner featuring premier guest chefs from local restaurants in the Twin Cities, including:

Scott Pampuch Aramark District Executive Chef, University of Minnesota Dining Services
Thomas Boemer Executive Chef, Corner Table
Ryan Cook Chef de Cuisine, Sea Change
Matt Bickford Executive Chef, Icehouse
Robert Wohlfeil Executive Chef, The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Fringe fish is the term given to fish species that are underutilized and have been overlooked as a valuable food source option due to low market demand. This event will provide guests the opportunity to taste a delicious variety of underutilized fish species that have not been traditionally available in the Twin Cities, including Acadian Redfish, Striped Mullet, Atlantic Spiny Dogfish, and more.

The Hook, Line & Sinker: A Tribute to Fringe Fish event will also be a celebration of the Zoos newest Fish Smart partnership with Aramark at the University of Minnesota. Aramark has made a commitment to help preserve the worlds oceans and fisheries through a partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program. Locally, Aramark at the University of Minnesota has partnered with the Minnesota Zoos Fish Smart program to help increase the institutions sustainable seafood choices working towards the goal of 100% sustainable seafood purchases.

Sea to Table partners with fishermen from small-scale sustainable wild fisheries, finding better markets for their catch. They work with local fishermen throughout the U.S., from Alaska to the Gulf Coast, and from the Carolinas to Maine, and offers overnight delivery direct from the dock to chefs around the country. Increasingly, more home cooks and university diners are demanding the same traceable connection back to the person who caught their fish and Sea to Table exists to help build these connections.

The Minnesota Zoo is committed to supporting sustainable seafood and freshwater choices to help protect our environment. The goal of the Zoos Fish Smart sustainable seafood program is to increase the availability of sustainable seafood in the Twin Cities and increase awareness of sustainable seafood issues throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. Open year round, the Zoo is one of the States premier cultural attractions serving 1.3 million visitors annually. With a mission to connect people, animals and the natural world, the Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Learn more at mnzoo.org or by calling 952.431.9500.