Mote Marine puts on second annual Farm to Fillet

Farm to Fillet was held Jan. 23.

  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 6:30 p.m. January 23, 2022
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Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium supporters braved cold weather for good food during the second Farm to Fillet lunch on Jan. 23.

The second annual lunch event — which was delayed in 2021 due to the pandemic — had more than 350 guests meeting at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park to support its work in researching new technology, bolstering local snook populations and more. 

After delaying the event a week due to inclement weather, Mote Marine had a new hurdle to work with in the form of chilly weather and a light drizzle that persisted throughout the event. Guests arrived in warm clothing and carrying umbrellas for the social hour before sitting down for lunch catered by Mattison's. 

Chef Paul Mattison gave the crowd some insight into the food the guests would soon enjoy — Étouffée, Arapaima fish and ending with a parfait — before passing off to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby and Aquaculture Research Park Director Dr. Kevan Main.

The event concluded with guests taking a tour of the research park's facilities. 

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby and Aquaculture Research Park Director Dr. Kevan Main
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby and Aquaculture Research Park Director Dr. Kevan Main
More than 350 made up the outdoor lunch.
More than 350 made up the outdoor lunch.
Tom Waldrop and Phil Price
Tom Waldrop and Phil Price
More than 350 made up the outdoor lunch.
More than 350 made up the outdoor lunch.
Dr. Ai and Monica Streacker
Dr. Ai and Monica Streacker
Stephannie Kettle, Betsy Kohl, Veronica Perrelli and Savanna Miller
Stephannie Kettle, Betsy Kohl, Veronica Perrelli and Savanna Miller
Chef Paul Mattison gives a rundown of the menu.
Chef Paul Mattison gives a rundown of the menu.
Nikki Logan Curran, Chef Paul Mattison and David Curran
Nikki Logan Curran, Chef Paul Mattison and David Curran
The Stillhouse Shakers play string band music for the crowds.
The Stillhouse Shakers play string band music for the crowds.
Kyle and Adriane Evans with Miranda Horr and Clayton Patmagrian
Kyle and Adriane Evans with Miranda Horr and Clayton Patmagrian
Geoff and Liz Verney
Geoff and Liz Verney
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
Mary Ellen Laue, Webster McDonald, Cynthia McDonald and Doug Smith
Mary Ellen Laue, Webster McDonald, Cynthia McDonald and Doug Smith
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
Rick and Phyllis Garfinkel
Rick and Phyllis Garfinkel
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
The lunch event was held at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
Janice States, Suzanne Stilton and Maureen O'Neal
Janice States, Suzanne Stilton and Maureen O'Neal
Skip Swan, Ashley Stanwick and Janis Swan
Skip Swan, Ashley Stanwick and Janis Swan
Director of Development Andria Piekarz opens the program.
Director of Development Andria Piekarz opens the program.
Community Foundation of Sarasota County vice president of philanthropy Jay Young addresses the crowd.
Community Foundation of Sarasota County vice president of philanthropy Jay Young addresses the crowd.
Kathy and Morgan McKown with Hugh Fisher
Kathy and Morgan McKown with Hugh Fisher
Tracy and Roy Kretzler
Tracy and Roy Kretzler
More than 350 people attended the event.
More than 350 people attended the event.

 

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