RECAP: Seafaring Speakeasy
February 20 - Union Pine, Portland, OR
On the evening of Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the cozy venue Union Pine in Portland, we celebrated the final act of our three-day Blue Foods Forum with the Seafaring Speakeasy — a spirited, sea-centric gathering of community, creativity, and culinary craft.
The event sprung from a simple truth: our oceans are not just a backdrop—they are a source of stories, sustenance, and collaborative possibility.
The Speakeasy brought this to life with:
Ocean-inspired art installations and short-film screenings that gave voice to the waves and to the people working at water’s edge.
A marine touch-tank experience, inviting guests to get close to sea urchins and to reconnect, as many of us have forgotten, how close we are to water’s wild side.
Food and flavor front and center: Chefs like Maylin Chávez, Jeff Kim, Haley and Brendan Byer, and Lukas Angus offered bites that told a story of coast, community, and care.
A rich mix of conversation—scientists, fishers, food-makers, and ocean-enthusiasts gathered side by side, reminding us that nourishing connections across sectors is as vital as the ingredients on our plates.
A decision to give back: proceeds benefited the Oregon Kelp Alliance, cementing the event’s role not just as celebration but as investment in our shared blue-food future.
Walking into Union Pine that night was like stepping into a world where the coast had been invited into the city. The lights, the laughter, the flavors—they all whispered the same question: what if the ocean’s abundance didn’t just feed our bodies, but our relationships, our systems, and our creative lives?
A portion of event proceeds went to support the work of the Oregon Kelp Alliance, and their goal to restore west coast native kelp forests.
Huge thanks to our sponsors and venue partners: Oregon Coast Visitors Association, Travel Oregon, Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative, The Builders Initiative, Ecotrust, Art Design Xchange, and Union Pine for making the Blue Foods Forum possible!