2024-02-14
Shelburne eatery wins the 2024 Lobster Roll competition
BRIDGEWATER - The crew from the Emerald Light Kitchen and Bar in Shelburne was the big winner at the sixth annual Lobster Roll-off competition hosted at the Michelin Social and Athletic Club in Bridgewater Feb. 4.
The restaurant, owned by Brendan Pippy, has been open for just a year-and-a-half and they decided to go with something "a little different"...with a little surf and turf feel. It worked and impressed the judges.
Finishing in second was Kat's Lobster Shack from Barrington Passage and finishing third was the Grill at The Quarterdeck Resort.
Stephanie Miller Vincent, co-ordinator for the host South Shore Tourism Co-operative, said that despite the fact that there were four less restaurants participating and a smaller crowd (was sold out), because of the harsh winter weather, things turned out well.
"I think everyone that was there had a really good time. I know we certainly did. It was great to see eight different restaurants competing. As much as we love repeat winners. It's also nice to see a new winner," she said, adding that having such a signature kick-off event is phenomenal.
"It gets everyone thinking about all the other lobster rolls that are out there, because of course, guests get to try one whole one and a smidge of another. So it whet's the appetite. This year we have added people's choice as a contest on the website so it encourages people to go out and visit restaurants," she said, adding there are 22 lobster rolls to vote on.
To vote, go to the event's website, https://visitsouthshore.ca/lobster-crawl/ and click on the 'Contest' tab. The winner will be announced at the end of the month.
What makes up the monster roll created by the staff at the Emerald Light?
Pippy described the ingredients, starting with a half-pound of Atlantic lobster, braised beef sirloin, pickled onion, grilled corn and bacon salsa, smoky chipotle aioli, mixed greens, on a garlic toasted pretzel baguette. On the skewers...two panko breaded lobster claws along with pickled pepperoncini peppers and cherry tomato.
About 60 people were in attendance to have a lobster roll from the winner of the last two events, the Osprey's Nest Public House, have some fun and learn more about lobster from the Kilted Chef Alain Bossé, who shared everything from the best way to cook a lobster, how to tell the male from the female and even how they reproduce.
Several vendors were also on hand to show off their wares.
This year's judges were travel/food writers/bloggers Pamela MacNaughtan, Jay Kana, Sherry Ott, and this year's Lob'Star, Faye Patey. They awarded points based on five categories including taste and presentation.
Overall, Miller Vincent said that everything about the lobster month is going well.
"So far, every ticketed event has sold out that has happened.," she said in an interview Feb. 9, giving the examples of the lobster tour happening in Bridgewater Feb. 10 and the lobster chowder showdown scheduled for Feb. 11 was sold out.
Big events coming up, with tickets still available include lobster tours in Bridgewater (17th) and Mahone Bay (24th). The tail end party (Feb. 23) and the brunch (Feb. 25) still have tickets available as well.
