What a busy and exciting weekend at Seafood Expo North America 2017 hosted in Boston, MA (March 19-21)!
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) exhibited at the show where we set up a live cooking station to promote Canadian farmed seafood – as well as distributed information about our producer members and their products.
This show is the largest and most anticipated seafood event in North America attracting seafood buyers from retail and foodservice industries including wholesalers, distributors and importers, and exporter - and it didn’t disappoint.
CAIA and its members spoke with a steady stream of visitors to the booth who expressed interest in sourcing Canadian farmed seafood. We handed out hundreds of copies of our supplier listing, member brochures - and more than 1,000 seafood samples!
Boston-based chefs Scott Patnode and Mike Graffeo prepared the samples, carefully selecting seasonings and herbs to allow the delicate flavours of the seafood to really shine through. Throughout the three-day event we served Arctic Char, Mussels (Blue and Gallo), Oysters (Atlantic and Pacific), Sablefish, and Salmon (Atlantic, Chinook and Steelhead) for visitors to taste.
CAIA’s Sheri Beaulieu and Ruth Salmon were on hand working alongside the chefs to distribute samples, answer questions, talk with buyers and refer member suppliers.
Here Chefs Mike Graffeo (left) and Scott Patnode (right) prepare samples of Yukon-grown Arctic Char from Icy Waters Arctic Charr. The two brought great energy to the booth and were a joy to work with.
Our booth featured a display case where we showcased the diversity of seafood cultivated across Canada. It really attracted the attention of show participants – many stopping to take photos of it.
Maurice Daigle of Maison BeauSoleil and Brian Yip of Fanny Bay Oysters helped shuck some of their scrumptious Atlantic and Pacific Oysters for visitors to try.
On the final day of the show, Chef Mike Graffeo served up a ‘Taste of Canada’ farmed seafood chowder brimming with fish and shellfish.
Ongoing member support for this show is key to our success. Producers from across Canada shipped over 350 lbs of seafood for display and service. Take a moment to get to know more about them!
- Atlantic Aqua Farms Partnership
- Badger Bay Mussel Farms
- Creative Salmon
- Fanny Bay Oysters
- Icy Waters Arctic Charr
- Mac’s Oysters
- Maison BeauSoleil
- Sea Agra Seafood
- True North Salmon