Sarasota foodies taste sustainable seafood

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, they say — especially when it pertains to seafood.

This year marks the fourth annual Trash Fish Dinner, which was rebranded this year as the Sustainable Seafood Dinner.

For creator Steve Phelps, this name change was something he’s wanted for years. At the Aug. 6 event he told the full dining room at Louies Modern that he’s worked hard to rebrand the event and start getting seafood fans to think twice before discarding “trash fish,” AKA the invasive and underutilized seafood species served at the annual dinner.

The purpose of the event is just that — to educate the public about sustainable seafood and the future of the marine food industry.

The evening began in the ballroom at The Francis with a cocktail hour featuring four chef stations and drinks such as wine and local craft brews. Guests also got the chance to taste locally farmed sea vegetables at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park booth.

Guests then made their way to the dining room at Louies Modern for the six-course meal (counting dessert, that is). Dishes included sunburst trout, clams and lionfish, golden tilefish, barramundi, millet and finally squid ink chocolate cake to top it all off.