Summertime in Maine is lobster roll season, a fact the U.S. state's largest city intends to celebrate on 8 July with its first Lobster Roll Festival.
During the event, which is being organized by Down East Magazine, chefs from around the United States will convene at Thompson’s Point outdoor arena to compete for a new, coveted title: “World’s Best Lobster Roll,” reported The Bangor Daily News.
“We all know Maine has the best lobster rolls in the world, and this festival is a chance for us to prove it while enticing people from near and far to come to Portland to experience the bounty of the Maine coast,” Kathleen Fleury, the Down East’s editor-in-chief, told the newspaper.
“The goal of the event is to illuminate the spirit and culture of Maine by offering an afternoon of some good old-fashioned summer fun,” added Fleury.
The upcoming festival fills an event need left vacant ever since New York City’s Lobster Roll Rumble ended back in 2013. In that competition, Kennebunk, Maine’s Clam Shack swept the Lobster Roll Rumble for three years running; Portland’s Eventide Oyster Co. also won the event back in 2013.
“I’m psyched,” said Steve Kingston, owner of The Clam Shack, to the BDN. “This is our product. Maine has blueberry pie and lobster rolls. The competition belongs in Maine.”
Twelve chefs from across the country will be selected to compete in the Lobster Roll Festival in July, with festival attendees able to vote on their top three favorite lobster rolls to help determine a winner. A panel of judges will then work to determine the champion sandwich. Restaurants, vendors and chefs can sign up to compete at the event online until 8 May.
