And The Winner Is...

Man. It's a tough job but someone's got to do it.

The Cold River Vodka Maine Martini-Mix-Off on August 25th was another fun-filled night with Chris Dowe (pronounced 'Doe') and Bob Harkins from CRV. The competition was held at beautiful Sebasco Harbor Estates in Casco Bay, Maine. What a gorgeous venue. I had the pleasure of judging with the owner Bob, who is the consumate host, a fun dude...and a hell of a martini taster. Sebasco Harbor also employs some very talented (and good-lookin') bar and wait staff. Ask for Tony - one of our martini entrants... he's very cool. Tony - who is currently single - enjoys sunsets on Casco Bay, amusing the guests with his razor-sharp wit and making Tang-rimmed watermelon-tinis. Alas, as good as the watermelon-tini was, it took 1st runner-up. First Place honors went to the "Liquid Lobster Bake". We all agreed that this martini screams "Maine!". Cold River Vodka and Clamato Juice (gotta have the clams in a Lobster Bake, yo) are mixed in a shaker, strained into a martini glass and - this is the best part - garnished with a steamed Maine lobster claw, a Maine new potato, a cob of baby corn and a stalk of celery. (For the whole down-low on the recipe visit www.coldrivervodka.com) Once again, I found myself with a righteous cocktail in my hand on an exquisite patio watching the sun sink into the bay. I love my life.

A big shout out to all the entrants - all the martinis were great - and a special hello to the pretty assistants from Darien, Connecticut who assisted their mom Cricket with her entry, the 'Mo-tini'. For anyone counting calories who still wants a tasty martini, check out Cricket's recipe. It's similar to a mojito...but very skinny.

Bob and Chris were nice enough to buy my camera man, Guy and I dinner at Sebasco. The food is perfect if you're looking for a true Maine eating experience. We ate and talked and Chris and I went on and on about how much we both love Ireland. The next best thing is the Maine Coast. Get there and live large.

Thanks again to Sebasco Harbor Estates, Cold River Vodka & Maine Distilleries for a wicked good time. Rave On!

PS: If you're wondering about my last post re: kayaking with the guys from H2Outfitters on Orr's Island - an unfortunate communications error at the last minute left us without a paddle. Too bad. It looked like a nice day to be out. If you're wanting to kayak in Maine, you'll have more choices than you can shake a stick at. Check out one of the best - Maine Kayak at www.mainekayak.com. They paddle out of New Harbor on Pemaquid Point. It's a hauntingly beautiful area filled with secluded bays and coves and you can see the lighthouse that's pictured on the Maine State quarter. Cool.

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QuickTrip To Martini-Ville

August 22,2006

Thursday we're heading back to Maine to shoot additional footage. Also, Lili is going to sit on the panel of Maine Martini-Mix-Off judges. The event, of course, is being sponsored by the folks down at our fave - Maine Distilleries in Freeport- where Cold River Vodka is born. Lili is the 'supreme justice' of martini judging. We're not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but she's looking foward to a couple of cold ones with her friends Chris, Bob and Nancy - also judges and fellow vodka lovers. Of course it's their job to love vodka. Is that somehow wrong? If you're in Maine this weekend, check out the competition at Sebasco Harbor Estates in Casco Bay - the drinkin' begins at 6:00pm. The entries at the last mix-off at Dennett's Wharf were delish and ...damn, that Cold River Vodka is good. Stop by for a tour and tell em' the Tasty Crew sent you (www.coldrivervodka.com).

Before we get rip roarin' toasted, we're hoping to get out on the water with our cams and the guys from H2 Outfitters on Orr's Island. Ross and Jeff invited Lili to paddle out to an island offshore. They're thinking there might be some kind of cooking going on on said island...maybe a batch of Lili's Fish Stew?

Check out H2 Outfitters website. These guys are tasty travelers for sure (www.h2outfitters.com).

Maine Lobsters for Papi

Bringing on the Butter for the Big Batter!

As the host of Tasty Planet, I feel the obligation to offer my culinary expertise to any member of the Boston Red Sox - MOST ESPECIALLY PAPI! - If you need any assistance in boiling, killing, dismembering or eating a Maine Lobster - I'm your man...Lili K.

Big Papi Getting Lobster Love From Maine

(AP) BOSTON Noting that David Ortiz loves seafood but has never been to Maine, Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday he is sending the Boston Red Sox slugger 41 lobsters and an invitation to visit the state.

The lobsters -- one for each of Big Papi's home runs this season -- will be delivered prior to the start of Friday's game at Fenway Park against the Baltimore Orioles.

Baldacci's invitation followed a Maine Day interview at Fenway last month in which Ortiz said he loves seafood but didn't know much about Maine. He said he wasn't sure how far away it was or even how to get there.

Along with the cooked Maine lobsters, Baldacci will include an AAA TripTik with directions from Fenway Park to the Maine coast.

The governor's announcement noted that Ortiz will be getting "Certified Maine Lobsters." Baldacci last week announced the introduction of special branding tags with that designation that are being affixed to crustaceans landed in the state.

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Street Cred for Maine Lobsters

Accept No Imitations...Support Sustainable Fisheries.

Let me tell you...I've been out there with these fishermen and they work hard for every lobster they trap. They fish in every kind of condition that you can imagine, and in some conditions that landlubbers like you and I could never imagine. They end up with more "shorts" - lobsters that are tossed back - than they do with "keepers". Fuel is outrageously expensive. - (Thanks George & Dick!) - Bait ain't cheap. Lobstermen & their families are self-supporting, independent Americans. So those buggers are worth every penny.
For the most part, the Maine Lobstering industry is self-regulated. Maine lobstermen promulgate and adhere to practices that protect the lobster population - especially the breeding stock. Sadly enough, this cannot be said of lobstering practices outside the Gulf of Maine. Ask your fishmonger or grocery store where the lobsters you intend to buy are from...if they're not Maine lobsters, I strongly suggest you ...EAT STEAK!
LK

read the whole story:

Maine Today - Lobster: Ending the Shell Game