I’m sure this crime happens in all industries from time to time, and we don’t even realize it. Problem is: this is food we’re talking about here. Stuff we ingest, and remember, “you are what you eat”. Not to get all dramatical, but it could have serious consequences for some, whether it be over a strict diet, organic vs non-organic food, etc.

span class=”bold”>Allowing customers to know where their seafood comes from gives them trust in your company, whether it be a seafood restaurant here on Shem Creek, or any other business.

Taking it a step further, telling customers, indeed bragging about where your seafood comes from, is the best way to win their trust, which of course, leads to word-of-mouth advertising, and who doesn’t want that!?

“Diners continue to question seafood origin and safety across the country; no matter how far removed the fish is from the Gulf. Restaurants generally are being very supportive of the Gulf, and many say they are not losing business as they educate their customers about sourcing and supply.” – John Sackton, Editor And Publisher, Seafood.com

Remember, for every person who asks a question, their are dozens who never do, who simply stay away. So, brag about where your seafood is coming from. Your customer base will expand because of it.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Getting seafood customers coming back for more

Delight in Chef Jeffrey Robinson’s 5 delectable courses featuring various sustainable seafood dishes.

They include:

1. guajillo dusted yellowfin tuna, avocado relish, & cilantro chimichurri,
2. deconstructed Loch Duart salmon carbonara,
3. miso lacquered sea scallop, baby bok choy & beech mushrooms,
4. snapper with mussels, chorizo, fried crouton & saffron broth, and
5. peach turnover with a sweet tea reduction.

The five-course meal will be served with wine and is $50 (plus tax and gratuity) per guest.

10% of the proceeds will be donated to the South Carolina Aquarium in support of the Sustainable Seafood Initiative, and all remaining profits will be donated to the Audubon Nature Institute in Louisiana to further wildlife and rescue efforts related to the Gulf Oil Spill.

Reservations can be made with the restaurant by calling 723-3000, ext. 1555.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Saffire at the Marriott on Lockwood Blvd

From the Shem Creek blog.

Sustainable Seafood Dinner at Saffire

The robbers put two employees into a walk-in cooler, a police report said.

The employees freed themselves after about 10 minutes and called police, the report said. The amount stolen during the robbery was not released by police.

That report comes from the local paper, and strangely enough, last night’s robbery at Vickery’s is eerily similar to a crime at another Shem Creek restaurant: Shem Creek Bar & Grill was robbed back in January and the employees were locked in the cooler then too!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Vickery’s robbed, employee’s pushed into freezer

Win the once-in-a-lifetime chance to cook on stage with critically-acclaimed chef/restaurateur and Food Network television personality Bobby Flay!

The Charleston Food + Wine Festival was named one of the best U.S. Food + Wine Festival’s by Forbes Traveler!

We all know The Lowcountry has exceptional chefs, a celebrated food history and a distinctive regional cuisine unlike any other, so come out and enjoy the good weather with food and friends!

“Charleston has become the culinary capital of the South…” – John Alex Floyd
Editor in Chief, Southern Living magazine

Festival Events

The BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival runs through Sunday. Tickets are still available to the events listed below. To see the full schedule and purchase tickets, visit charlestonfoodandwine.com, call 843-577-6235, or go to the ticketing tent at Marion Square. The tent will open 10 a.m. each day.

Free events

• Opening ceremony 11 a.m. today at Marion Square.
• Live Charity Auction, 2:30 p.m. today at Marion Square

Tickets remain to:

• The Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents:

• 2-5 p.m. today – $45
• 10 a.m-1 p.m. or 2-5 p.m. Saturday – $55, and
• 1-5 p.m. Sunday – $45 ($35 for locals).

• King Street Sip + Stroll, 3-6 p.m. today, $40.
• Restaurant Dine-Arounds at Tristan or Circa, 6:30 tonight, $150.
• Pinot Envy Uncorked!, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, $75.
• 1,000 Point Wine Tasting, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, $450.
• Lowcountry Gospel Brunch, 11 a.m. Sunday, $55.
• BBQ & Blues, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, $75.

Event director Angel Postell says the goal is to raise $50,000 for MUSC Children’s Hospital and another $10,000 for scholarships at The Art Institute of Charleston, The College of Charleston, and Trident Technical College.

* UPDATE: Food + Wine Festival reports record attendance

From the Shem Creek blog.

Charleston Food + Wine Festival 2009

Entertainment includes live music from Plane Jane, one of the locals favorite party bands.

Sponsors are:

• Firefly Vodka,
• Pabst Blue Ribbon,
• SweetWater Brewing Company, and
• Yuengling.

Admission is $6 at the door, and it’s a rain or shine event.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Vickery’s Oyster Shuckin’ on the Creek

The 5th Annual Mardi Crawl on Shem Creek to benefit the South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will kick off at 2:00 p.m. at Red’s Ice House in beautiful downtown Mount Pleasant on Saturday, February 21, 2009. Advance registration is $20. Check-in and registration on the day ($25) of the event is from 2 – 4:00 p.m.

Participants receive an official Mardi-Crawl-on-Shem-Creek! Map and “crawl” from Red’s Ice House to R.B.’s Seafood Restaurant to Vickery’s Bar & Grill to Sette VII to Water’s Edge Restaurant to Shem Creek Bar & Grill and back to Red’s (or in any order that you prefer) between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Parrothead hosts will be at a designated area at each host restaurant to sticker your official Mardi-Crawl Map, reward participants with more prizes and gifts, and offer raffle tickets.

One (1) raffle ticket is given with each registration but more can be purchased for $1 each or six tickets for $5. At Red’s, ticket holders can place their tickets in the boxes in front of their chosen items. Drawings begin at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a Silent Auction at Red’s with nearly 100 items. Completed Mardi-Crawl Maps make participants eligible for grand prizes which will be randomly drawn during the evening.

Red’s Ice House will host an after-party starting at 8 p.m. with live music. C’mon out and “party with a purpose” with the Lowcountry Parrotheads and help out the local Alzheimer’s Association!

Here’s a video shot during Mardi Crawl 2009:

Here’s 2010:

From the Shem Creek blog.

Shem Creek Mardi Crawl

Vickery’s will be celebrating 10 years on Shem Creek with a party beginning at 1:13 p.m. (13:13) Friday. There will be 13-cent specials all day!

On Saturday, the restaurant and bar will host a Valentine’s dinner for $26.95 a person.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Vickery’s 10th Anniversary Friday the 13th 2009

At gunpoint, Patti heard “Give me the money and don’t mess around”.

Before leaving, they emptied the safe and took her purse and 3 cell phones.

The men forced themselves in at 9am when workers arrived and opened the door.

If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers @ (843) 554-1111.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Shem Creek Bar & Grill Robbed At Gunpoint

The warning only applies to lobster tomalley, but still, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, PSP for short, is a serious concern.

PSP can be fatal in extreme cases (particularly in those who are already immuno-suppressed). Children are more susceptible. PSP affects those who come into contact with the affected shellfish by ingestion. Ten to thirty minutes after ingestion, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes. Shortness of breath, dry mouth, a choking feeling, confused or slurred speech, and lack of coordination are also possible.

* UPDATE: Salmonella traced to Mexican pepper farm, but still, the
FDA Extends Consumer Warning on Serrano Peppers from Mexico

From the Shem Creek blog.

First no tomatoes, then no jalapenos, now no lobster!