Four chefs from high-end hotels in South Korea have had their interest in Maine lobster peaked to the point where they are traveling to Maine to spend a week learning about our favorite crustacean. From June 17-21, the chefs will get a hands-on education in Maine lobster from trap to table. The educational program, a joint effort between Calendar Islands Maine Lobster and Maine Lobster Promotion Council, is being conducted with the support of lobster dealers and processors as well as program sponsors.
Educating international chefs and buyers is key to increasing demand for Maine lobster worldwide. South Korea represents an emerging market opportunity for Maine lobster, with a high growth rate and high per capita seafood consumption (126.5 pounds live weight). Maine lobster exports to South Korea increased 217% from 2011 to 2012 with a value of $1.5 million, according to data from the Maine International Trade Center.
Food Export Northeast has been instrumental in developing this international connection. They facilitated the introduction between Samjin F.S., a company specializing in importing American food products to South Korea, and Calendar Islands Maine Lobster through their international buyers' mission. They also sponsored the educational program bringing the chefs to Maine.
Lobster dealers and processors up and down the coast are opening their doors to the chefs in a cooperative effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the lobster industry. The chefs will have the opportunity to go out on a lobster boat and see how lobsters are individually caught and handled, adhering to best practices for sustainability.
A highlight for the chefs will certainly be a lobster cooking class at the Mid-Coast School of Technology led by celebrity fisherman and author Linda Greenlaw and Maine Lobster Chef Ambassadors Kerry Altiero, Wilfred Beriau and host Josh Gamage.
The chefs will attend an industry meeting to hear presentations from experts on topics including best handling practices, international marketing, sustainable fisheries management and best shipping practices.
The educational program creates the opportunity not only to sell more lobster to the chefs’ high end hotel properties, but also to create four Maine Lobster Chef Ambassadors in South Korea who are opinion leaders and can influence other restaurants in the area.
Program Sponsors:
Maine Lobster Promotion Council, Calendar Islands Maine Lobster, Lobster Research Education & Development Fund, Food Export Northeast, Maine Restaurant Association/Maine Tourism Association, East Coast Seafood, Greenhead Lobster, Department of Economic and Community Development/Department of Tourism, Maine International Trade Center
Processing plants on tour
Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster in Rockland, Maine Fair Trade Lobster in Prospect Harbor, Shucks Maine Lobster in Richmond
Dealers on tour
Calendar Islands Maine Lobster in Portland, Greenhead Lobster in Stonington, Ready Seafood in Portland, Seaview Lobster Company in Kittery, Vinalhaven Fishermen’s Co-op in Vinalhaven
Source: Maine Lobster Promotion Council