April
29, DEM offers free class on cooking fish
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's
(DEM) Aquatic Resource Education program will offer a local fish cooking class
with Chef Andy Lussier of Culinary Connections and Addieville East Farm this
month.
WHEN: Sunday, April 29| 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife Education
Office, 1-B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter
Chef Lussier will share tips and techniques designed to
help participants prepare local fish and shellfish meals they'll be proud to
serve family and friends.
Participants will learn how to process and
store local seafood, along with special handling and cooking techniques.
Chef Lussier will prepare several recipes
during the class, and participants will be able to sample each dish.
Space is limited and registration is required. Cost for
the class is $30 per person.
A registration form is available on DEM's website; send completed registration forms and $30 check/money order per person payable to Culinary Connections to DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife Education Center, 1B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter, RI 02822. For more information, contact Jessica Pena at jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov.
The program is among the state's efforts to educate the
public about local food and fisheries. Rhode Island is known for its food and
diverse food cultures; our booming local food sector supports more than 60,000
jobs and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and
innovators.
The local fishing industry has been, and
continues to be, a vital part of the equation.
The commercial industry, which includes both
wild harvest and aquaculture operations, generates close to $200 million in
annual sales, supports nearly 7,000 jobs, and generates about $150 million in
annual income.
Last year, more than 22 million quahogs
(off-the-boat value of $5 million) were harvested from Narragansett Bay and
local coastal waters.
To support continued industry growth, the state, along with its partners, developed the RI Seafood brand to uniquely identify local seafood in the marketplace and to provide a brand under which local seafood events and activities can take place.
To support continued industry growth, the state, along with its partners, developed the RI Seafood brand to uniquely identify local seafood in the marketplace and to provide a brand under which local seafood events and activities can take place.
"In the Ocean State, our fisheries are part of our
identity – and we are so lucky to have access to diverse and high-quality
seafood," said Sue AnderBois, Rhode Island Director of Food Strategy.
"This class – and efforts like it –
help connect Rhode Islanders to the food being caught and grown right in our
backyards by teaching us how to cook using ingredients we can buy directly from
our local fishers and farmers!" AnderBois is the first state director of
food strategy in the country.
As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities
in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature,
promoting health, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for
Rhode Island families.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in
Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to
the economy each year.
For more information about DEM's programs and initiatives,
visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM
or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
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