Catch & Cook Comp. Pics and Winner!

ONE FOR THE BOOKS... (and apparently magazines... as I just learned Edible Monterey is doing an article on the event to help build momentum for next year's comp).

I am excited to report that we had over 100 spectators, 38 competitors, lots of $$ raised for Save Our Shores and 37 pounds of trash picked up at the beach clean up (and fantastic family prizes for top 3 people to pick up most trash like a $150 certificate to 7D steakhouse paired with a $120 cert for Big Sur Adventures). We had prize packages (like an $1800 fishing kayak, $150 Shun Knife, $100 Kalletka Clothing certificate and custom magnetic knife block trophy for first place winner) for the top 5 highest scored plates, 1 prize package for biggest fish including a metal lingcod custom trophy from Jack Kim, and one for heaviest limit of purple urchins.

Huan "Solo" Le came in first place images (in album below) #340-345 - Canh Chua (sweet and sour fish soup) with Cá Kho Tộ (clay pot caramel braised fish).

Huge thank you to the judges for their time: Chef Thomas Snyder of Seventh & Dolores, Chef Danny Abbruzzese of the Portola Hotel & Spa and Chef Colin Moody of The Club at Pasadera. Thank you also for everyone that competed, volunteered, helped organize, helped solicit donations (like Matt Mattison connecting me with some businesses and people), and encouraged the event! Thank you to Monterey Bay Kayaks for hosting the event and Bamboo Reef for being the main sponsor.

It was a huge success and we look forward to next year.

HERE IS THE LINK to the album so you can see the fun!

Looks and sounds like a great event, Eric.  Nice work!   

The food looks amazing and thanks for sharing 

Delicious looking event, well done!

Thanks for sharing that. I need more time to do more traveling and events.

Delicious looking event, well done!

Thanks for sharing that. I need more time to do more traveling and events.

So many fun NCKA events, it's easy to understand why you're limited!

I'd say I really need to step up my game; but first I need to actually develop a game.
That all looks amazing.
I bet next year will be at least twice as big.
Congrats to the winners and props to those who were there.

Excellent job Eric! 

Good to see all your hard work pay off. 

Excellent job Eric! 

Good to see all your hard work pay off. 

We missed you and the boys out there! Next year!

Bummed I was outta town—but I’m stoked to hear it was so successful and fun!

Bummed I was outta town—but I’m stoked to hear it was so successful and fun!

We missed ya too, Pat! I was pleasantly surprised when TW (Tim) brought his family down just to hang out and watch. It was fun catching up with him since I hadn't seen him since AOTY awards at Barryesa.

What a great event.  I was blown away how all the the divers were so prepared to throw down . They broke out there gas stoves, smokers and fire pit with dutch oven set up.
To be able to walk around like the judges did to see the step by step prepping and cooking of their dishes was quite amazing.
And being able to sample some of those dishes afterwards was great as well. Thanks guys.
Hats off to Eric for a awesome inaugural event. A big thank you to MBK for hosting the event at there facility And to all the sponsors that contributed to the event. Lastly. A huge thank you to the judges ( Chefs ) that made time to come and judge  fabulous dishes that were presented to them.
( It was like an episode of chopped )
I know they were blown away on what the seen that day.
Congratulations to all that competed.
Can't wait for the next one...
Thanks,
Tim

What a great event.  I was blown away how all the the divers were so prepared to throw down . They broke out there gas stoves, smokers and fire pit with dutch oven set up.
To be able to walk around like the judges did to see the step by step prepping and cooking of their dishes was quite amazing.
And being able to sample some of those dishes afterwards was great as well. Thanks guys.
Hats off to Eric for a awesome inaugural event. A big thank you to MBK for hosting the event at there facility And to all the sponsors that contributed to the event. Lastly. A huge thank you to the judges ( Chefs ) that made time to come and judge  fabulous dishes that were presented to them.
( It was like an episode of chopped )
I know they were blown away on what the seen that day.
Congratulations to all that competed.
Can't wait for the next one...
Thanks,
Tim

Super kind words. I really appreciated you coming out and supporting! Sorry I was running around so much once people started cooking haha. Can't wait for next year!