Biloxi, Mississippi-based e-commerce shrimp purveyor, Biloxi Shrimp Co., has partnered with the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs to educate the coast’s young minds on one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region’s most tasty natural resources and culinary favorites – shrimp!
The co-founders of Biloxi Shrimp Co., Mark Mavar and Jonathan McLendon, are giving back to the community that helped inspire their natural love for the culinary arts, the Gulf Coast’s seafood industry, and its most popular seafood item by donating more than 50 kid-size aprons and wild-caught Gulf shrimp – to be used for children’s culinary classes and other events at the venue, which is affectionately known by locals as “The Mary C.”
“We’ve always admired how the Mary C. provides diverse programs and facilities for the arts, including culinary classes for all ages,” said McLendon. “Growing up in the ‘seafood capital of the world,’ and in the shrimp industry ourselves, we hope to pass our love for wild-caught Gulf shrimp on to future generations.”
“We absolutely love finding ways to collaborate with creatives and organizations that share our mission in connecting arts-based education and entertainment with the community,” said Sarah Qarqish, Mary C. Arts & Culture Coordinator. “A big THANK YOU to Biloxi Shrimp Co. for the donated shrimp and aprons that were used in this past weekend’s culinary classes with Chef Clay Barney!”
This is not the first time Biloxi Shrimp Co. has partnered with the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Back in August, Biloxi Shrimp Co. used its Culinary Cafe to prepare shrimp dishes and film recipe videos and behind-the-scenes footage to share on social media and inspire seafood enthusiasts across the country to eat and buy more wild-caught Gulf shrimp on its website at BiloxiShrimpCo.com/shop.