RECAP: Feast of the Local Fishes
Sunday, February 16th, — Garibaldi Boathouse, Garibaldi, OR
We were thrilled to welcome back Mona and Jaret of Tournant for our Feast of the Local Fishes event! The number of returning guests made it clear just how special this gathering has become.
Tournant teamed up with our very own Alanna Kieffer of Shifting Tides to create a spectacular afternoon filled with seafaring delights, complemented by exceptional wine pairings from Barbara of Cooper Mountain Vineyards.
There’s truly nothing like the Historic U.S. Coast Guard Boathouse, perched at the end of a 700-foot pier overlooking Tillamook Bay. With multi-course appetizers, a bountiful seafood boil, and even the chance to try your hand at crabbing off the dock, it doesn’t get much better than this.
The evening began with delectable Cooper Mountain Vineyards wine. Guests were invited to explore the iconic building and learn about the area's rich local history while enjoying a variety of appetizers crafted by the Tournant team.
Alanna also served seaweed mocktails, featuring a recipe created by Dappled Tonic, who generously donated their refreshing citrus tonic water for the evening!
Bites included a comforting smoked salmon chowder, aguachile mussels, Hama Hama oysters, Oregon pink shrimp tostadas, and an Oregon Albacore tuna nori wrap.
Following the tasting, the group had the opportunity to learn about Oregon’s vibrant Dungeness crab industry from Winter Waters co-founder Alanna Kieffer. Her engaging talk highlighted what sets Oregon apart as a crabbing destination, including the regulations that make the Dungeness crab fishery one of the most sustainable in the world. She also discussed the various types of gear used in commercial and recreational crabbing, and offered tips on how to get involved with shellfish harvesting right here in Oregon.
All of this led up to the adventurous finale—guests bundling up to brave the weather (just like commercial crabbers!) and try their hand at crabbing, using pots that had been baited and set earlier in the evening.
While guests were out on the dock, the Tournant team was busy at work, steaming clams and crab and prepping for a classic, family-style crab boil. By the time everyone returned indoors, the tables were beautifully set, ready for a feast. The main courses featured a dulse seaweed Caesar salad, hearty potatoes, steamed clams, and whole Dungeness crab.
We absolutely love this event and the incredible partners who make it all possible. We hope you’ll join us again next year. Chances are, we’ll be doing it all over again!
