27 August 2004 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Join us from September 17-19 at the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival for the largest KITCHEN PARTY in Atlantic Canada. "Prince Edward Island shellfish products are world-renowned for their distinctive flavor and high quality," states Jean MacDonald, co-chair of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival. "The Festival promotes the shellfish industry and its high quality products and draws visitors from around the world. A one-day export seminar has been added to this year's schedule on Thursday, September 16 at the Best Western Charlottetown. Canadian Trade Commissioners and International Seafood buyers will present the opportunities that exist for PEI Seafood in the Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, France, Italy and Germany markets. In addition to the presentations, PEI producers and processors will have the chance to meet one on one with buyers and trade commissioners to determine new opportunities in these primary markets. Registration is $35. Contact the PEI Seafood Processors at 629-1555 to register. Look for lobster on the menu at this year's Festival. The PEI Seafood Processors will have a booth inside the tent featuring creative lobster dishes including lobster burritos and lobster bisque. Weekend festival passes will also include a free lobster sample. World famous PEI Shellfish including mussels, oysters, clams and chowder will continue to be offered. "The World is Your Oyster" is a new, interactive children's shellfish program that has been added to the schedule. Children will join their host, Hope Paterson, along with Robert and David Pendergast for great music, tales of an oyster's life on PEI, shellfish arts & crafts and more! All activities are free and take place under the gazebo at Confederation Landing Park. Registration starts at 11:30am on Sunday, September 19. Participants are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. Chefs from across North America will compete for a $10,000 cash prize at the second annual International PEI Shellfish Chef Challenge on Saturday, September 18 at The Culinary Institute of Canada. This year, the general public will have the opportunity to participate in the competition at the Gala Reception on Saturday evening. The top chef at last year's event was Neil McCue from the Catch Seafood Restaurant in Calgary. Tickets to the Gala Reception are $35 and can be purchased by contacting The Culinary Institute of Canada at 894-6851. "The shellfish industry contributes a great deal to the Island's economy and this Festival provides a tremendous opportunity to showcase our high quality shellfish products," said Premier Pat Binns. "The Government of Prince Edward Island is proud to be part of this wonderful event that injected over $600,000 into our economy in 2003, attracting thousands of Islanders and visitors to the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront. The Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival is truly a world class event." Last year's hot new event, "Keep on Shucking with Frank's RedHot® Oyster Shucking Demos" was a huge success. This interactive program with shucking Master John Bil will have you learning about and sampling great PEI oysters. Frank's RedHot® Sauce is the new title sponsor of this event. Oyster Shucking demos will take place at participating downtown restaurants, Atlantic Superstores across PEI and in the Frank's RedHot® Demo Tent during the Festival. The restaurant program has been expanded this year to include 14 restaurants in the downtown core. From September 15-19, check out participating restaurants for creative shellfish specials, promotions with Frank's RedHot® Sauce, free oyster samples and demos, and a free sampler of mussels with the purchase of a Molson Canadian or Molson Canadian Light (while supplies last). Look for record times at the "PEI Oyster Shucking Championship" and the "JP's Shellfish Eastern Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship". Competitors from across Eastern Canada and the United States will wow the crowd with their skill and speed during these two exciting competitions. James MacInnis of Carr's Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge will be back to defend his title as PEI Oyster Shucking Champion. Paul Petcoff of Toronto, Ontario, is the 2003 Eastern Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion and winner of the $2000 cash prize. For all those chowder connoisseurs, two great chowder competitions will tempt your taste buds: the "Paderno PEI Chowder Championship" and the "International Chowder Championship". Chef Jeff McCourt, Mavor's Bistro and Bar, Confederation Centre of the Arts, is the defending 2003 Paderno PEI Chowder Champion and John Petcoff from Oyster Boy Restaurant in Toronto is the 2003 International Chowder Champion and the $2000 grand prize winner. Get ready to tie-one-on Saturday September 18 for the "Go Deep International Tie One on Mussel Championship." Watch as teams of two test their skill and agility as they perform the art of tying buoys and hanging mussel socks above an authentic mussel boat. The festival has a great line up of featured entertainment that will keep the party going all weekend long! PEI's very own Richard Wood will entertain the crowd nightly live on the ATV stage. Other great acts include Cynthia MacLeod and Friends, Boys in the Kitchen, Green with Envy and The Ross Family. Advance weekend packages including three days of admission, entertainment, plate of oysters, mussels, cup of chowder, lobster sample and complimentary beverage are available for only $25 (a savings of $6) and can be purchased online at www.peishellfish.com, or by calling toll free 1-866-955-2003. - 30 - Jean MacDonald Co-Chair Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival (902) 368-2757 Lynn MacDonald ACOA PEI & Tourism (902) 566-7491
