PRESQUE ISLE and PORTLAND, Maine — Chef Rob Ottaviano of Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle will head “Down East” this weekend to see if his popular lobster roll recipe can beat 11 other semifinalists from Maine and around the U.S.
The Down East Magazine Lobster Roll Festival will feature the “World’s Best Lobster Roll” Competition Saturday, July 8, at Thompson’s Point in Portland. The 12 semifinalists were announced at the end of May.
The competition, the first-ever large-scale contest in Maine showcasing the state’s iconic snack, will be the anchor event to a larger family-friendly afternoon of activity that will include everything from live music to an interactive kid’s area to Maine-made vendors and refreshments. A project of the state’s legacy publication, Down East magazine, the Down East Lobster Roll Festival seeks to illuminate the spirit and culture of Maine by offering an afternoon of some good old-fashioned summer fun.
The other semifinalists are:
The Lobster Lady, Phoenix, AZ and Isle au Haut, ME.
The Clam Shack — Kennebunk, ME.
Bob’s Clam Hut — Kittery, ME.
Cousins Maine Lobster — Los Angeles, CA and Various Locations.
C-Ray Lobster — Bar Harbor, ME.
Bite Into Maine — Cape Elizabeth, ME.
The Highroller Lobster Co. — Portland, ME.
Eventide Oyster Co. — Portland, ME.
Luke’s Lobster — New York, NY and Various Locations.
Freshies Lobster Co. — Park City, Utah.
Stonington Ice Cream Company — Stonington, ME.
The Festival will give back to Maine’s lobstering community. $4 of every lobster roll sold will go to the Maine Lobstermen Community Alliance, whose mission is to foster thriving coastal communities and preserve Maine’s lobstering heritage. With programs such as a family relief fund, as well as leadership and safety training, the MLCA helps to strengthen the people who make Maine what it is.
More information about the festival, including a full list of sponsors, and a link to the festival’s ticket sales can be found at http://downeast.com/lobsterroll. Keep track on social media at #lobsterrollfest, #worldsbestlobsterroll.
