Trash Fish Chicago 2013

From our blog: On Monday, May 20, ten of Chicago’s finest chefs proved that there’s really no such thing as trash fish. Working with our environmental partners at Shedd and Monterey Bay Aquariums and Fortune Fish and Gourmet we came up with a species list for our Trash Fish Dinner that read like a who’s who of misrepresented, misunderstood, under-utilized species of fish. The chefs each took a hand at polishing these diamonds in the rough, with delicious results.

Invasive lake species such as Asian Carp and Rainbow Smelt were elevated high above their ill-deserved low culinary stature by chefs like the night’s host, Paul Fehribach of Big Jones, and Laura Piper of Trattoria No. 10. Their preparations of crispy Asian carp cakes and cornmeal crusted smelt were true delights. Read more >>

Highlights from the Dinner:

Click here for photos from the event
Read “Can Trash Fish Make It in the Midwest?” – a Huffington Post op/ed by Paul Fehribach, Chefs Collaborative Board Member and chef at Big Jones, and Michelle Parker of Shedd Aquarium
Check out these stories about the event:
- Classy trash: Chefs reeling in less popular fish (Veronica Hinke, Mundelein Review 5.16.13)
- High-end chefs elevate low-end seafood (Bob Krummert, Restaurant Hospitality Magazine, 4.30.13)
- The Future of Seafood is Here (Chef Paul Fehribach, Big Jones, 4.24.13)
- Big Jones Trash Fish Dinner Pulls Star Power (Daniel Gerzina, Eater Chicago, 4.24.13)
- Big Jones To Host Trash Fish Dinner With Lineup of Star Chefs May 20 (Grub Street Chicago 4.17.13)

Trash Fish National Dinners

About Trash Fish Chicago:

Meet the triggerfish, the scup, the asian carp. These are fish that have traditionally been left off menus by chefs, discarded by fishermen, and are virtually unknown to the general public.

During this family-style multi-course dinner, enjoy delicious fish that usually go unnoticed, prepared by ten great chefs from the Chicago area.

Participating chefs:

Paul Fehribach – Big Jones	Bruce Sherman – North Pond
Paul Kahan – avec, Blackbird, & The Publican	Erling Wu Bower – avec
Paul Virant – Perennial Virant, Vie	Laura Piper – Trattoria No. 10
Patrick Sheerin – Trenchermen	Michael Sheerin – Trenchermen