Special Events Featured atSeafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

The 33rd edition of Seafood Expo North America and Seafood Processing America will offer a series a special events to the thousands of seafood professionals attending the expo from March 16-18, 2014 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The schedule of events includes a master class series complemented by culinary demonstrations, the 8th Annual Oyster Shucking competition, the Seafood Excellence Awards, sponsored sessions on timely topics in the seafood industry and a new product showcase featuring product sampling. “These tailored presentations are designed to enhance the visitors’ experience by providing them with an opportunity to learn about new products and upcoming trends, hear about the latest topics in the industry, and take away information to help them grow their business,” says Liz Plizga, Show Director at Diversified Communications, producers of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America.  “We are thrilled to introduce an expanded program of master classes that focus on specific species presented by industry professionals and distinguished chefs.” The Master Class Series consists of educational sessions presented by industry experts and top chefs. Through these classes attendees will gain a deeper understanding on how to grow, source, select, handle and prepare specific seafood species such as lobster, salmon and oyster. During the three-day event, the New Product Showcase will display the latest packaged seafood products, condiments and culinary dishes to be launched in 2014. All products entered into the New Product Showcase are automatically entered into the prestigious Seafood Excellence Awards competition, which recognize and celebrate the best new seafood products for Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product in the North American seafood market. The 2014 finalists were recently selected and the winners will be announced at the Seafood Excellence Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 16 at 3:30pm. The 8th Annual Oyster Shucking competition brings together 14 contestants competing to earn the title as the fastest shucker on the East coast! The first five winners receive cash prizes. All participants of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America are invited to take part in these numerous activities and presentations: Sunday, March 16, 2014: 10:00AM - 5:00PM      New Product Showcase Sponsored by: Clearwater Seafoods 11:00AM - 5:00PM      Conference Program Presented by SeafoodSource.com and SeaFood Business magazine 11:00AM - 12:00PM    Master Class Series: Lobster - Focus: American Lobster Presented by: Carl Wilson, Lobster Biologist, Maine Department of Marine Resources Chef: Alain Bosse, The Kilted Chef Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative |Canadian Lobster 1:00PM - 2:00PM        Master Class Series: Salmon - Focus: Wild Salmon Presented by: Randy Rice, Technical Director, ASMI & Karl Johan Uri,  Foodservice Marketing Specialist, ASMI Chef: Dan Enos, The Oceanaire Seafood Room (Boston, MA) Sponsored by: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) 1:30PM – 2:00PM       Product Sampling Hot smoked candied salmon and hot smoked sliced peppered salmon Sponsored by: True North Salmon Co., Ltd. 3:30PM                       Seafood Excellence Awards - New Product Competition Ceremony & Reception Monday, March 17, 2014: 9:00AM - 10:00AM     Sponsored Session: Maine Lobster, From Trap to Table Panelists: Michele Ragussis, Food Network Celebrity Chef Carl Wilson, Lobster Biologist, Maine Department of Marine Resources Sponsored by: Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative 9:00AM - 10:00AM     Sponsored Session: Reeling in Your Cold Chain Sponsored by: Americold 10:00AM - 5:00PM      New Product Showcase Sponsored by: Clearwater Seafoods 11:30AM - 5:00PM      Conference Program Presented by SeafoodSource.com and SeaFood Business magazine 11:30AM - 12:30PM    Master Class Series: Oyster Presented by: Patrick McMurray 11:30 – 12:00PM         Product Sampling Bacon & cheese stuffed clams and panko cod tenders Sponsored by: National Fish & Seafood Inc. 3:30PM                      Oyster Shucking Competition Sponsored by: Cherrystone Aqua-Farms Tuesday, March 18, 2014: 10:00AM - 3:00PM      New Product Showcase Sponsored by: Clearwater Seafoods 10:30AM - 12:00PM    Conference Program Presented by SeafoodSource.com and SeaFood Business magazine