BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Crosby, Chiles, Cripe attend NOAA fish fry
The 38th annual National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fish Fry, held June 5, in Washington, D.C., featured Mote Marine Laboratory’s farm-raised caviar and Siberian sturgeon produced at Mote’s 200-acre Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County.

Mote partnered with the Chiles Restaurant Group, Anna Maria Fish Co. and Lola Wines for the event. The group’s booth also featured bottarga, a delicacy made from locally caught striped mullet and wine varietals from Lola Wines.

Dr. Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote; Ed Chiles, owner of the Chiles Restaurant Group; and Ed Cripe, majority owner of Lola Wines, in which Chiles is also a partner, attended the event. Both Chiles and Cripe own and operate the Anna Maria Fish Co.

By serving sustainable seafood produced in Mote’s Aquaculture Park, Mote demonstrated that unlimited water access isn’t needed, nor environmentally sustainable or desirable, for large-scale production of food or growing marine fish species to replenish depleted wild stocks.

+ Arpke ‘Tasting Tuscany’ in September
As of June 3, six spots remained for a “Tasting Tuscany” trip that Euphemia Haye co-owners chef Ray and D’Arcy Arpke will host from Sept. 22 through Sept. 29. The trip will include cooking lessons and demonstrations, market visits, wine tastings, a chocolate factory visit and tasting, truffle hunting and more. 
Ray Arpke will offer his insights on food and wine; Elizabeth Namack, a native Floridian who lives in Florence, will act as the tour guide, providing her commentary on sights, art history, architecture and more.

For the full itinerary, visit EuphemiaHaye.com. For booking and pricing information, call Lisa Silvestri, of Silvestri Travel, at 866-966-6535.

+ Maison Blanche to close for summer
Maison Blanche, 2605 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will close for the summer from June 16 through Aug. 13. The restaurant is owned by Jose and Victoria Martinez. For information, call 383-8088.