The Vineyard is getting set for its own Seafood Throwdown to take place at the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market this Saturday, August 11, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The competition is basic in its demands: two chefs are let loose on the farmers’ market, able to use anything they find on the premises, with one required ingredient to be revealed at the time of the competition. They create a meal on the spot and then at 11:30 the judges taste the results and declare the winner.
The key to a great seafood meal on the Vineyard naturally lies in the best ingredients: just-caught fish, farm-fresh produce and a talented chef.
At the second annual Seafood Throwdown on Saturday, the organizers brought all three together in the hot summer sun at the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market.
A competition between two Island chefs, the throwdown is designed to raise awareness about locally-caught fish and an Island initiative called Vineyard Wild Caught Seafood.
Warren Doty stood atop a small blue cooler, beckoning the crowd at the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market over to the side of the Grange Hall last Saturday like a ringmaster at the circus. As the crowd grew larger, people peered over each other’s shoulders, curious as to what the secret ingredient would be. Home Port chef Johnny Graham stood on Mr. Doty’s left, and Sidecar chef Kyle Garell on his right. The two were about to cook head-to-head in the first challenge of its kind on the Vineyard: a seafood throwdown.
Chef Johnny Graham of the Home Port in Menemsha was one of the top 20 contestants on Bravo’s Top Chef. Chef Kyle Garell of Sidecar in Oak Bluffs started his own cooking show on Martha’s Vineyard Television. And while Mario Batali and Bobby Flay may not be there, Mr. Graham and Mr. Garell will go to head-to-head tomorrow as the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market becomes the next kitchen stadium.
