Easton, MD – The Creative Clam Challenge took place on March 16, at the Sea Watch International booth at the Seafood Expo North America held in Boston, MA March 16, 2014.
Numerous creative recipes were submitted by the culinary students from across the country. After much deliberation, Sea Watch International’s research and development team chose the two finalists to compete in the seventh Annual Creative Clam Challenge, Lor Lee and Courtney Hamblin. Lor for his recipe of Spaghetti with an Asian Aromatic Coconut Clam Sauce with Clam Balls and Courtney for her recipe of Clam & Avocado Quinoa Salad.
“Our two finalists showed that they had great creativity as well as awareness of current culinary trends” said Guy Simmons, Vice President of Marketing & Product Development for Sea Watch International.
The Final Contestants!
Lor Lee from CIA in New York
Lor Lee is the youngest of six children and the only American born child to Hmong refugee parents who fled Laos to Thailand after the Vietnam War ended in 1975. In 1991 the family settled in Kaukuana, Wisconsin where Lor was born in 1992.
Lor’s mother was the primary cook who infused Asian and American flavors together. At the age of fourteen he had his first real job, working as a dishwasher at a banquet club. After a year he was able to work as a prep and line cook. When his parents opened up a small restaurant focusing on different flavors of Southeast Asia, he started working for the family business.
After graduating high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin majoring in biology. After a year he realized biology was not right for him, and went back to work at the family restaurant. This is when he recognized that culinary was his true passion. He became obsessed with cooking and everything to do with it. Lor applied to the Culinary Institute of America and was admitted in 2013. Lor’s goals after graduation are to work for the best chefs in order to become one of the best and open a fine dining restaurant in the middle of Manhattan.
Courtney Hamblin from CIA in New York
Courtney Hamblin is a U.S Army veteran and full time student at the Culinary Institute of America. Serving in the military until 2012, Courtney now takes part in the Culinary Arts program at the CIA, which is located in Hyde Park, New York. She is competing today with her recipe for a Clam & Avocado Quinoa Salad. Her inspiration for this dish comes from fresh and healthy eating concepts she tries to apply to her own life.
Courtney is a Michigan native and although she is always on the go, her parents’ home in Jackson is still her favorite place to visit. A huge fan of true home cooking, her Grandmother will forever be her favorite cook. From the sands of Iraq to the kitchens of NYC, Courtney continues to dish up food in all sorts of new places. As an aspiring chef, she loves to take part in tasting new dishes and venturing to new food destinations. After graduation this June, Courtney cannot wait to begin her career as a chef and entrepreneur.
RESULTS
After hundreds of visitors at the Boston Seafood Show tasted both recipes and placed their votes for their favorite, the votes were tallied and Lor Lee won with his Spaghetti with an Asian Aromatic Coconut Clam Sauce with Clam Balls. “In years past we have most often experienced blow outs, but not this year. The final tallies were close and I am proud of the way both contestants committed to the contest”, said Guy Simmons, Vice President of Marketing & Product Development for Sea Watch International. Lor received $2,500.00 for his winning recipe and Courtney as the First Runner Up received $1,000.00 for her participation in the Seventh Annual Creative Clam Challenge.
About Sea Watch International
Sea Watch is located in Easton, Maryland and is recognized as the largest harvester and processor of clam products in the world. Over the past 36 years, Sea Watch has taken its place as the leader in offshore clamming. Sea Watch operates 26 of the most powerful and technologically advanced vessels to harvest clams which are processed in our 3 state-of-the art processing plants operating under approved FDA and HACCP plans. Our processing plants are located in Maryland, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Sea Watch offers an extensive line of frozen and canned clam products, which include; clam chowder, clam strips, clam nuggets, clam sauces, chopped clams, clam juice and clam concentrates. Sea Watch also offers value added seafood products such as crab cakes, calamari and shrimp, which are available for co-pack. For more information regarding Sea Watch International, contact Guy Simmons at 410-822-7500 or visit www.seawatch.com.
PHOTO: Lor Lee from the CIA in Hyde Park, NY winner of the Seventh Annual Sea Watch Creative Clam Challenge at the International Seafood Expo North America and Brian Shea, Sea Watch International Northeast Sales Representative.
Source: Sea Watch International