The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History presented a new and unique event on Thursday, October 19, at the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. The “Bugs of the Sea . . . Live Long and Lobster!” event included a focus of lobsters known as “bugs of the sea” and offered guests an opportunity to explore ecology, fishery, research and conservation activities surrounding these delicious, nocturnal sea creatures.

Chef Pete Clemens Lobster Risotto

On what seemed to me to be possibly the most beautiful balmy evening on record at St earns Wharf guests of SBMNH had the opportunity to savor sips and bites that included specialty cocktails like “Rock Lobster” divine “Lobstertini’s” or wine & beer along with gourmet lobster treats prepared by Chef Pete Clements who served lobster risotto, Chef Scott Wallace who served smoked lobster bisque, and Chef Michael Hutchings who delighted guests with his lobster corn dogs on a divine dip, decorated with tiny blue whales.

Gourmet Lobster Dog by Chef Michael Hutchings

Educational presenters included UCSB researchers Joseph Curtis and Adrian Stier, Julie Bursek, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, lobster fisherman Thomas Dabney, and Tyler Haven and Tommy Wilson, Sea Center aquarists who all gave guests individual answers to their questions and provided wonderful information. This was a very informative and delicious evening at the sea – hope they do it again soon!
For Sea Center or Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History information please visit: www.sbnature.org.
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About the Author

Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News (www.lifebitesnews.com), does travel, entertainment and food reporting on local Radio/TV, and contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications. She is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.