Every good meal has a story.
Sometimes it begins on a fishing boat. Sometimes behind a seafood counter. Sometimes in a restaurant kitchen. And sometimes around a family table where recipes and traditions have been passed down for generations.
That’s what I’m exploring through Shore & Table.
As I explore Florida’s Gulf Coast, I’m learning from the people who grow, harvest, catch, prepare, sell, and preserve the food that defines this region. Along the way, I’m collecting the stories, photographs, recipes, traditions, and memories that help explain how food gets from shore to table.
I’m especially interested in hearing from commercial fishermen, stone crabbers, shrimpers, oyster farmers, seafood market owners, chefs, fish camp owners, waterfront restaurant owners, seafood processors, charter captains, longtime waterfront workers, and families with recipes or seafood traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Some conversations happen in person. Others begin with an email, a voice memo, or an old family photograph.
Every contribution helps preserve a piece of Florida’s Gulf Coast food culture.
Every Conversation Is Different
Every story is unique, but here are a few of the things I enjoy learning about:
How you got started.
A day on the water you’ll never forget.
A family seafood tradition or recipe.
Someone who taught you to fish, crab, shrimp, scallop, oyster, or cook.
What people often misunderstand about your work.
A seafood market, fish camp, waterfront restaurant, or tradition that deserves to be remembered.
Lessons you’ve learned over the years.
What you hope future generations will know about Florida’s Gulf Coast food culture.
Or simply tell me something you think deserves to be remembered.
Interested in Sharing?
If you’d like to share a story, family tradition, recipe, photographs, videos, or memories, I’d love to hear from you.
I’ll personally review every submission. If I think there’s an opportunity to work together, I’ll reach out with the next steps.
If we move forward with a conversation or feature, you’ll always have the opportunity to review and approve your content before anything is published.
Thank you for helping preserve the people, places, and traditions behind Florida’s Gulf Coast food.
— Jami
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