The National Aquarium is pleased to welcome Executive Chef Thomas Dunklin from B&O American Brasserie as part of the Fresh Thoughts Dining Series on Mar. 27, 2012 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. The dinner, which celebrates sustainable and creative seafood choices, will feature oysters from Virginia’s War Shore Oyster Company.

A native of New Orleans, Chef Dunklin cultivated his culinary skills under celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse. He then followed his passions for sustainability and for creating colorful, artful cuisine to some of the most high-profile kitchens on the West Coast. After 10 years in the Pacific Northwest, Chef Dunklin longed for the East Coast and joined the team at B&O American Brasserie in December 2010. Since then, the restaurant has been recognized by Baltimore magazine as one of the “Best Restaurants” and Baltimore magazine readers voted Chef Dunklin as the “Best Chef” in the Best Restaurants Reader’s Poll.

The evening’s menu includes four courses with the first course featuring an oyster trio – butter poached, on the half shell and bacon wrapped. The second course will be an oyster and artichoke stew with herb saint, cream, and cornmeal “oyster” cracker. The third course will be tempura-fried oysters with veal grillades, Anson Mills grits and arugula. For dessert, guests will enjoy a citrus shortcake with blueberry compote and whipped cream.

This unique series features educational cooking demonstrations by well-known local chefs followed by seated dinners overlooking the Aquarium’s coveted view of the Baltimore Harbor.  Previous guests chefs have included Bryan Voltaggio (VOLT), Jason Ambrose (Salt), Timothy Dean, Chad Wells (Alewife), Jessie Sandlin, Jill Snyder (Woodberry Kitchen), John Shields (Gertrude’s), Antonio Baines (Tapas Teatro), Tamesha Warren (The Oval Room), and Galen Sampson (The Dogwood).

Each dinner is themed around sustainable seafood choices that are available in this region. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception and cooking demonstration led by the guest chef, followed by a fine dining experience that includes the sustainable course paired with perfectly matched regional wine. The evening will conclude with a stroll through the Aquarium. Guests will leave with complete recipes and information about where to purchase sustainable seafood locally.

WHAT:
Fresh Thoughts with Chef Thomas Dunklin
From B&O American Brasserie

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
National Aquarium
501 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

ADMISSION:
$79 for members, $89 non-members
For reservations, please call 410-576-3869.

INFO:
Visit www.aqua.org/freshthoughts

The National Aquarium is proud to partner with Classic Catering for its Fresh Thoughts Dining Series.

Due to popular demand, Secrets of the Swamp to remain open through April!

The National Aquarium in Washington, DC announced today that due to popular demand, they will be extending the stay of their albino alligator, Oleander, and the Secrets of the Swamp exhibit until April 29, 2012.

Oleander is an extremely rare albino alligator that was hatched in Louisiana and is a permanent resident of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in Florida. Fewer than 100 of these extraordinary species exist worldwide due to the many environmental challenges that they face. Albinism is a genetic lack of melanin pigment in eyes and skin, resulting in the alligator’s unusual translucent scales and pinkish eyes. Albino alligators are very sensitive to sunlight, and because of their inability to blend in with their surroundings, they create unwanted attention to themselves from predators. This leaves albino alligators with an extremely low survival rate in the wild.

Oleander came to the National Aquarium in Washington, DC, in October and was originally scheduled to depart this month but because of her tremendous popularity, the National Aquarium decided to extend her stay until the end of April.

“It seems that the public just cannot get enough of Oleander,” said Bob Ramin, Chief Development Officer of the National Aquarium and Executive Director of the National Aquarium in Washington, DC. “This additional time gives those who didn’t have the opportunity before to come in and meet her.”

Shortly after Oleander’s arrival, the public got to take part in naming her through a contest facilitated over their social media channels. Over 550 people participated in the naming contest. An oleander is a flowering shrub, native to Louisiana and the southern region of the US. In addition to sharing the same home state, this plant and alligator have very similar qualities: they are both unique and beautiful, yet they can both be dangerous.

The exhibit is free with the cost of admission to the aquarium. Public alligator feedings occur every Friday at 2:00pm. National Aquarium husbandry staff provides visitors with an educational lesson on the lives and habits of alligators and an up-close demonstration of how alligators are target trained to respond to colors in connection with their feedings.

Visitors can also see Oleander during Reptile and Amphibian Day on February 25th! This event will celebrate the many reptiles and amphibians at the aquarium, with activities, presentations and interactions. All activities are included with general admission to the National Aquarium in Washington, DC.
Click here to learn more about Reptile and Amphibian Day!

The National Aquarium is pleased to announce Steven Schindler has been named the organization’s new Chief Marketing Officer.

In this role, Schindler will oversee all of the National Aquarium’s marketing initiatives for both the Baltimore and Washington, DC venues. Schindler will champion the National Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures.

“I welcome Steve’s strategic approach and collaborative management style to the National Aquarium team,” said John C. Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium. “His executive experience at leading successful teams and delivering measureable results strengthen each initiative he undertakes and influences growth for the organizations he represents. Steve’s experience in the digital realm, superb credentials, and career-long dedication to championing brand are welcome additions.”

Schindler brings to the Aquarium more than 20 years of experience developing marketing programs. He has held key marketing positions with Bally’s Las Vegas and Contiki Holidays, where he worked on assignment in London, England developing U.S. inbound tour programs. He also developed advertising programs for destination marketing organizations, attractions and hotels and resorts with San Diego and San Francisco Bay Area advertising agencies. In 1992, he founded his own California-based marketing firm, Schindler Marketing Group, Inc., and served as president and creative director for 16 years before focusing his communications and marketing skills in the digital world. In 2006, Schindler co-founded Sasa Technologies, where he launched two online businesses and spearheaded digital commerce transactions that strengthen business-to-business relationship development, led negotiations with content and distribution partners, and directed online search engine initiatives that optimize online presence and marketing opportunities.

Most recently, he was the vice president of marketing of Local.com Corporation, a leading online media company that connects small and medium businesses and national advertisers with more than 25 million monthly unique visitors. He led that organization’s successful online relaunch; launched the corporation’s daily deals site, Spreebird.com; and led all strategic marketing planning and communications for its diverse consumer and digital businesses.

Schindler earned his Bachelor of Science Marketing and Public Relations Degrees from San Diego State University and studied International Business at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Download Steven Schindler Press Release
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