‘Best of Sea’ has its best year ever

Prince Edward Island seafood was the big winner from the annual ‘Best of Sea’ promotion’s record-breaking 2016.

Best of Sea is a food service promotion and culinary competition that ran during the month of June. Promotion participation and sales increased substantially over last year. A total of 20 restaurants across the Island featured 40 unique seafood dishes throughout the month of June.

“The numbers show us that this year’s Best of Sea promotion was an outstanding success in increasing local consumption, knowledge, and awareness of Island seafood,” Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alan McIsaac said. “Thank you to all consumers, chefs, restaurants, judges, and staff for once again showing Islanders and the world why Prince Edward Island is Canada’s Food Island.”

Here are some quick facts from Best of Sea 2016:

• 4,948 seafood-based dishes were sold, up 166 per cent over last year;

• the promotion resulted in $146,000 in estimated economic value, up 169 per cent over last year;

• 20 restaurants participated, up 67 per cent over last year; and

• there were 31,000 website page views, up 102 per cent over last year.

Backgrounder

Best of Sea 2016 Winners

• Appsolute Seafood Starter 2016 Judges Choice Award:
Chef Javier Alarco at Water’s Edge for his lobster and crab ceviche dish.

• Ultimate Seafood Fusion 2016 Judges Choice Award:
Chef Irwin MacKinnon at Papa Joe’s Restaurant for his three fish - three ways dish.

• Chef of the Year Award 2016:
Chef Irwin MacKinnon at Papa Joe’s Restaurant.

• Appsolute Seafood Starter 2016 Islanders Choice Award:
Chef Jamie Power at Blue Mussel Café for his P.E.I. shellfish chowder dish.

• Ultimate Seafood Fusion 2016 Islanders Choice Award:
Chef Jamie Power at Blue Mussel Café for his just for the halibut dish.

• Islanders Choice Awards:
Chef Stephen Wilson at Rodd Mill River Resort for his First Wave Appetizer and Chef Les Flynn at Red Water Rustic Grille for his Hooked up with Flavours dish.

Media contact:
Amber Nicholson 
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
amnicholson@gov.pe.ca
902-368-5286