Johnson & Wales Media Center

Sea Watch International Joins University for First
Annual Creative Clam Challenge

EASTON, Md. – December 17, 2007 – The stage has been set, the pans will be banging and the stakes will be high to see who will become the first winner of the Creative Clam Challenge sponsored by Sea Watch International and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. The winner will be chosen on Feb. 24, 2008, at the International Boston Seafood Show in Boston, Massachusetts. The first place winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize and the runner up will receive $1,000.

Participants from Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts will be challenged to their culinary limits to come up with diverse and exciting recipes for clam appetizers, salads or clam entrees.

"We are very excited that Johnson & Wales is participating in the Creative Clam Challenge. The students at the school set the standard for culinary excellence around the world" Guy Simmons, vice president of marketing & product development for Sea Watch International says.

Participants will be asked to develop recipes that would be used for a foodservice operation that can accommodate one to eight people. Sea Watch International's research and development team and the Johnson & Wales staff will judge recipes and choose two finalists.

The two finalists will get their clams on and go head–to-head in front of a packed Boston Convention Center for two hours on Sunday, February 24, 2008. The finalists will cook their recipes to see who will become the first winner of the Creative Clam Challenge. The winner will be chosen by show attendees casting their vote for the best tasting clam dish.

"Johnson & Wales culinary students come from around the country and world," Chef Steven Shipley, director of culinary relations, Johnson & Wales says. "Thanks to this exciting project with Sea Watch International, our students will gain an opportunity to experience a fun and educational event in which they can learn more about the relevance of sustainability and the clam industry, along with the added bonus of obtaining financial support to pursue their culinary dreams."

about Sea Watch International
Sea Watch International is located in Easton, Maryland, and is recognized as the largest harvester and processor of clam products in the world. Sea Watch International clams are harvested in United States fishing waters under United States Federal regulations. Over the past 28 years, Sea Watch International has taken its place as the leader in offshore clamming. Sea Watch International operates 26 of the most powerful and technologically advanced vessels to harvest the largest offshore clam allocation in the industry which are processed in our four state-of-the art processing plants operating under approved FDA and HACCP plans. Our processing plants are located in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Massachusetts. Sea Watch International offers an extensive line of frozen and canned clam products which include; clam chowder, clam strips, clam nuggets, clam sauces, chopped clams, clam juice and clam concentrates. Sea Watch International also offers value added seafood products such as crab cakes, calamari and shrimp which are available for co-pack. Sea Watch International's family of brands consist of; Sea Watch, Old Salt, Mid Atlantic Foods, Eastern Shore Foods, American Original, Mr. Frosty, Sailors Choice, Captain Fred, Captain Hank, Captain Catch, Captain Choice, Surf Pride, Blue Surf and Tuckers Cove. For more information regarding Sea Watch International, contact Guy Simmons at 410-822-7500 or visit their website.

Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.