Catch Some Trashy Fish At Big Jones

By Melissa Wiley in Food on May 14, 2013 5:40PM

"Trashy" has a certain appeal. Unfortunately, the allure of torn fishnets has yet to translate to so-called trash fish, seafood oft overlooked by fishermen and chefs alike to devastating ecological effect. Underfished species such as dogfish, smelt, speckled trout, and triggerfish mean overfished salmon and tuna. In the consumer’s defense, we usually don’t have the option to tear into some truly trashy fish, rebalancing aquatic environs in the process. But Big Jones and Chef Paul Fehribach want to change that on Monday, May 20 with a multicourse dinner that delves into the deep seas’ seamy side.

Nine Chicago chefs will join Fehribach at his famed Andersonville Southern-style spot to present an eight-course family-style dinner at 7 p.m., with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Fortune Fish and Gourmet, the event's sponsor, will provide the seafood.

“We’re calling it a trash fish dinner because these fish are historically discarded as bycatch,” says Fehribach. “We’ll show that not only are they not trash, but they make great eating. If we’re successful in turning diners and chefs onto lesser-known seafood, it will take some pressure off of popular and overfished species.”

Funds raised from the event will benefit the Chefs Collaborative, a national network of chefs working to make sustainable practices second nature in restaurant kitchens. Participating chefs include Erling Wu-Bower of Avec, Paul Kahan of Blackbird, Bruce Sherman of North Pond, Sarah Stegner and Geroge Bumbaris of Prairie Grass Café, Laura Piper of Trattoria N. 10, Michael and Patrick Sheerin of Trencherman, as well as Paul Virant of Vie and Perennial Virant.

Tickets cost $125 per person and can be purchased here or by calling (617) 236-5200.

Big Jones is located at 5347 N. Clark St.