Maybe you like it grilled, or perhaps you prefer it baked with a favorite sauce. However you prefer rockfish, now’s the time to encourage the next generation of seafood chefs to experiment with this delicious fish.
All chefs between the ages of 11 and 17 are encouraged to enter their best rockfish recipes in the Junior Chefs Rockfish Cook-Off, to be held at the 10th Anniversary East Coast Junior Watermen’s Program on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Ocean City, Md.
The inaugural cook-off event will feature five finalists in each of two age groups: 7–11 and 12–17. The finalists will compete for cash prizes and plaques — $200 and a plaque for first place, $100 and a plaque for second place, and $50 and a plaque for third place. All finalists will receive rockfish pins, aprons and certificates.
All entries, which should be an original entrée or main dish, are due by Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Finalists will be notified by Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007.
Three judges will evaluate entries on originality, predominance of rockfish, taste and texture, said Doris Hicks, seafood specialist for the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service. The purpose of the event, she explained, is to help kids to learn to select and properly prepare healthy foods.
On the day of the contest, each finalist will receive two pounds of rockfish fillets to use. All other ingredients, cooking appliances and utensils are the contestants’ responsibility.
The Cook-Off is sponsored by the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, University of Maryland Sea Grant and Maryland Seafood Marketing Program. The Junior Watermen’s Program is an interactive, hands-on event in which children get to learn about marine wildlife.
Parental permission and supervision must be provided. For a list of all official rules and regulations, as well as an entry form, email Hicks at dhicks@udel.edu or visit www.ocean.udel.edu/seagrant.