National Aquarium, Baltimore, will welcome chefs from some of
the area’s best restaurants for the 2013 Fresh Thoughts Sustainable
Seafood Dining Series. This is the fifth year the Aquarium has hosted
the series celebrating
one of the National Restaurant Association’s Top 10 Trends for
2013, sustainable seafood.
Each dinner
features a cocktail reception of regional wines
and cooking demonstration led by the guest chef, followed by a
fine dining experience that includes a four-course menu created solely
for the event, all while overlooking the Baltimore Harbor. The event
concludes with a stroll through the Aquarium.
“National
Restaurant Association’s Top 10 Menu Trends for 2013 highlights how
important sustainable seafood is these days,” said Steven Schindler,
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for National Aquarium. “This
is a trend we’ve been celebrating
and promoting for years. The Fresh Thoughts dining series is a great
way for people to learn about the importance of sustainability while
enjoying an incredibly prepared meal. Just because it is good for you,
doesn’t mean it can’t taste good!”
Chef Chris
Becker of Fleet Street Kitchen returns to the Fresh Thoughts series
after a great showing in 2012. Locally owned and operated, Fleet Street
Kitchen features contemporary American cuisine and has received praises
from critics at The Baltimore
Sun and Baltimore magazine. The menu is an ever-changing collection of
seasonally inspired selections with a strong emphasis on locally
sourced, ethically raised, sustainable ingredients. Chef Becker will
host a dinner on May 21, 2013.
Previous
guests chefs have included some of the area’s most celebrated chefs,
James Beard Award nominee Bryan Voltaggio (VOLT), Jason Ambrose (Salt),
Top Chef Timothy Dean, Thomas Dunklin (B&O American Brasserie), Chad
Wells (Alewife), Top Chef Jessie
Sandlin (Vino Rosino), Top Chef Jill Snyder, John Shields
(Gertrude’s), Antonio Baines (Tapas Teatro), Chris Becker (Fleet Street
Kitchen), Top Chef Tamesha Warren (The Oval Room), Galen Sampson (The
Dogwood) and Mark Miranda (Rusty Scupper).
Tickets
for each dinner are priced at $79 for National Aquarium members and $99
for non-members, or all three dinners can be purchased as a package
with a discount of $10 per dinner. Tickets can be purchased at
www.aqua.org or by calling
410-576-3869. Fresh Thoughts
Sustainable Seafood Dining Series dinners take place at 6:30 p.m.
at National Aquarium, Baltimore located at 501 E. Pratt Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202. The dates of the dinners are February 5, March 19
and May 21, 2013.
National Aquarium is proud to partner with Classic Catering for the Fresh Thoughts Sustainable Seafood Dining Series.
Chef Chris
Becker of Fleet Street Kitchen a Baltimore native and veteran of several of the city's most highly
regarded restaurants, Chef Chris maintains deep relationships with local
farmers, foragers, and fishermen. His contemporary American cuisine at
Fleet Street Kitchen is defined in conjunction with the seasonal produce
of Cunningham Farms, the restaurant owner's farm in Cockeysville.
A graduate of the Baltimore Culinary Institute, Chef Chris spent time
in the kitchens at The Brass Elephant, Linwoods, and The Wine Market in
Locust Point. He was noted as one of the top "Chefs to Watch" by
Baltimore Magazine and identified as one of "Ten Professionals Under 30
to Watch" by the b newspaper.
At Fleet Street Kitchen, Chef Chris combines both traditional and
modern techniques, creating elegant dishes that reflect his intense
devotion to his craft.
His menu:
First Course
Fluke Crudo
Citrus purees, earl gray tapioca, mint, fennel, olive oil, jalapeno, pickled ramp
Pinot Blanc 2011
Second Course
English Pea Soup
Ricotta "gnudi", mint, english pea "tapenade", parmesan
Pinot Gris 2011
Third Course
Olive Oil Poached Halibut
Morel mushrooms, ramps, fava beat toretllini, chicken jus, lemon thyme
Estate Cuvee, Pinot Noir 2010
Fourth Course
Seared Scallop Confit of Suckling Pig
Soubis, orange, spring onion, fennel seed, pork jus
Kiana Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, Aliette Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010
Dessert Course
Strawberry Buckle Cake
Sweet cream, basil, vanilla
Schramsberg Vineyards, Cremant - Demi-Sec 2007
Power
Plant Live! announces the music lineup for Friday Night Live! –
Baltimore’s biggest, free summer concert series – running every Friday
from May 31, 2013-September 27, 2013. Friday Night Live! features an
eclectic mixture of today’s best local, regional and national acts, including featured
performances by The Dirty Heads, The Dan Band (known from films
such as Old School and The Hangover), Buckcherry, Matt and Kim and
regional favorite, Go Go Gadjet. The concerts kick off every Friday at
8:00 PM EDT and attendees can enjoy $2 Miller Lites
from 4:00-7:00 PM EDT.
