Maine Fare 2015 brought over 3000 people who love food together at the Belfast waterfront for a two-day celebration of Maine food. The weekend was full of sunshine, good food and food for thought. Thanks to the many presenters, chefs, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and eaters who made this year’s event a huge success!
While there is always lots to experience at Maine Fare, what you bring home is really the most important part of the festival. When you learn about seasonal seafood at the Throwdown, seek out those species when you are at home. When you taste the abundance throughout the Market, support those producers all year long. When you explore on the farm tour, remember that food has a sense of place, and there are so many farmers, fishermen, and people who work hard to put food on our plates.
Maine Fare kicked off in the Belfast Boathouse, where over 65 people gathered for the Friday Food for Thought Forum. Featuring food innovators from all over the state, the day was filled with discussions, questions and a local lunch on the waterfront. In the evening, local chefs Annemarie Ahearn of Salt Water Farm and La Mason of Bon Fete Cuisine created dishes inspired by Maine’s seafood seasons to serve at a benefit cocktail party. A Taste of Place Art Walk brought together local artists and food producers in downtown Belfast for a sampling of art galleries and fresh food.
On Saturday, thousands of people browsed the Maine Fare Market for local goods, snacks and more, while area musicians played.
Chellie Pingree offered her keynote address, “Maine’s Farming and Fishing Resurgence: Reflections on 40 Years of Island Life,” to a packed audience.
Together with chefs Sam Talbot, Ben Conniff, and Kerry Altiero, Chellie also judged the Seafood Throwdown, presented by the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance. Competing chefs Tom Sigler of Comida and Michele Levesque of El El Frijoles were presented with mackerel and halibut, respectively, and given an hour to cook. Both whipped up delicious dishes that were appreciated by the judges, and Chef Michele was declared the winner.
DIY classes in pasta, butchery, pickling and more were held throughout the day.
Participants took home the fruits of their labors in the form of jugs of mead, felted bars of soap, fresh sourdough starter and other treats.
Market talks and demos in kefir fermentation, fishing gear, Maine cheese and books continued all day as well, and in the afternoon Jacinda Martinez’s Fashion in the Raw creations formed a sculpture garden for the public to sketch.
The evening continued with the 2nd Annual Oysters + Beer Tasting, where guests sampled local oysters and Maine-made beer on the waterfront.
Sassfras Stomp and the Gawler Family Band + Friends took the stage at the Homegrown Hootenanny while Marshall Wharf set up a biergarten, and audience members enjoyed dancing to their rollicking tunes.
Maine Fare 2015 was made possible by Penobscot East Resource Center and Maine Farmland Trust, as well as generous sponsors. Thanks to the chefs, presenters, musicians and everyone else who contributed to or attended Maine Fare, and see you next year!
