Newburyport- Under a starlit sky at the Sea to Table Dinner, chefs from seven Newburyport restaurants prepared local seafood dishes featuring local landed species such as red fish, skate, monkfish, whiting, and more. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association President Angela Sanfilippo talked with guests from all backgrounds about recipes for “underutilized” or “lesser known” species. Fishermen Al Cottone, John Sanfilippo and Paul Vitale made presentations to the 100+ attendees on locally caught species. The Mayor invited participating Gloucester restaurants and seafood markets to buy from Gloucester Seafood Processors. The only change was that the dinner was not in Gloucester, but in Newburyport.

The City of Gloucester was invited by the Custom House Maritime Museum to collaborate on a special culinary event featuring Gloucester businesses, local fishermen, and seafood. All the Gloucester fish was donated. The Sea to Table Dinner was a unique opportunity for the Gloucester Fresh campaign to expand its partnerships across Cape Ann. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and her administration worked closely with the Event Chairman Ken Jackman and his Sea to Table event team to introduce guests to the dining possibilities of Gloucester seafood while also helping support the Custom House Maritime Museum.

“The City of Gloucester was proud to support the Sea to Table Dinner with Gloucester Fresh seafood. By utilizing fresh and local seafood we are not only providing delicious and healthy food to consumers, but also supporting your community,” said Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “We are also excited for any opportunity to introduce our Gloucester businesses to a wider audience.”

The Sea to Table Dinner proved to be another example of power of regional collaboration in Massachusetts. The City of Gloucester is proud to be working with Newburyport Mayor Holaday on important initiatives that highlight small businesses, non-profits in our respective cities.

In 2015 the City of Gloucester launched the Gloucester Fresh Seafood branding campaign. The campaign supports “America’s oldest fishing port” by bringing new attention to the many fish markets available that supply local fresh seafood. The program helps local fishermen, some of whom are fifth and sixth generation, and markets that have a long tradition of providing quality fresh fish, shellfish and value-added seafood products. In 2017 Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken launched the Gloucester Fresh Restaurant program which highlights restaurants, fish markets and seafood processors who sell Gloucester landed fresh seafood to their customers. More information can be found at www.gloucesterfresh.com.