[twitter]On November 18, The Vancouver Aquarium will host their Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown in Calgary for the first time.

I’m thrilled to be hosting this event at the Hyatt Regency Calgary where 12 of Calgary’s top chefs will compete live with their original chowder, paired with craft beer, for the Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Championship title (Judge’s selection and People’s Choice).

Competing with their best seafood chowder creations will be:

Chef Ron Jacobson | Bistro Rouge
Executive Chef Chris Dewling | Blink Restaurant
Chef Kyle Groves | Catch Restaurant & Oyster Bar at the Hyatt Regency
Chef Paul McGreevy |CRAFT Beer Market
Chef Darren MacLean | Downtownfood
Chef Justin Leboe | Model Milk
Chef Andrew Keen | Redwater Rustic Grille
Chef Andrew Winfield | River Café
Chef Dustin Schafer | Sky 360
Executive Chef Paul Peddle | The Rimrock at the Fairmont Palliser
Chef Rebecca House | Thomsons Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency

This is a free for all of seafoody goodness. In a land known for its beef, I must say that I miss my ocean fare. At Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown, everyone gets to wander and taste all 12 original ocean-friendly chowders, paired with craft beer, and then vote for their favourites.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the event support the Vancouver Aquarium‘s Ocean Wise program, which aims to conserve our oceans. It’s easy to be ocean wise yourself, simply look for the little fish icon at a retailer, market, or on a restaurant’s menu to find the seafood that is sustainably harvested. No endangered animals, no toxic farming, just healthy resource management in the wild.

Tickets are $50 and are available at www.vanaqua.org/chowdown

Thanks to the Vancouver Aquarium for supporting Team Diabetes in exchange for me hosting the Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown.