Top Twin Cities chefs team up for 6-course seafood lover's dinner at Octo Fishbar

Held in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation, the evening will feature six top-flight Twin Cities chefs, plus cocktails by marquee names in the local libations world.

October 25, 2018 at 3:55PM
Chef Tim McKee at the bar in the dining room of his Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown. ] JEFF WHEELER � jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Chef Tim McKee opened a new restaurant, Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown this year. He was photographed in the dining room of the new concept Wednesday afternoon, December 13, 2017.
Chef Tim McKee at the bar in the dining room of his Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown. ] JEFF WHEELER � jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Chef Tim McKee opened a new restaurant, Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown this year. He was photographed in the dining room of the new concept Wednesday afternoon, December 13, 2017. (Tom Horgen — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Chef Tim McKee at the bar in the dining room of his Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown. ] JEFF WHEELER � jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Chef Tim McKee opened a new restaurant, Octo Fishbar in St. Paul's Lowertown this year. He was photographed in the dining room of the new concept Wednesday afternoon, December 13, 2017.
(Tom Horgen — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

What are you doing on the eve of All Hallow's Eve?

That's Oct. 30, and a major way to celebrate the conclusion of National Seafood Month is with a dinner that evening at Octo Fishbar in St. Paul.

Not just any dinner, but a six-course extravaganza, staged in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation and featuring some impressive Twin Cities culinary talent, all shepherded by Octo Fishbar chef/owner Tim McKee.

Each course will be prepared by a different chef, and to reflect the foundation's Smart Catch programa project that McKee has championed – each course will be showcase sustainable seafood.

"It's a great lineup," said McKee. "It's going to be pretty exciting."

The chefs include Ann Kim (Young Joni, Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza), Thomas Boemer (In Bloom, Revival, Corner Table), Justin Sutherland (Handsome Hog, Pearl and the Thief), Ben Spangler (Mercy) and Octo Fishbar's Shane Oporto.

Each course will be paired with a cocktail, the work of such libations experts as Erik Eastman (Easy & Co.), Adam Gorski (Young Joni), Marco Zappia (Martina, Colita), Laurel Elm (Meyvn, Saint Dinette) and Aynsley Jones (In Bloom).

Make that low-proof cocktails.

"No one can consume six cocktails," said McKee with a laugh. "That's why we're looking at more subdued, lower-proof cocktails."

The seafoodfest begins at 6:30, and cost is $125 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations at 651-202-3409.

about the writer

about the writer

Rick Nelson

Reporter

Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner. 

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