Blue Hour: The Culinary Arts of Blue Food
AltaSea produces an annual fundraiser, Blue Hour, bringing a unique spectacle to life. The inaugural event took place in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, featuring a drive-in experience where the live ocean floor was digitally projected onto the Battleship USS Iowa, while accompanied by music. Since then, the theme of Blue Hour has evolved each year. In 2023 Blue Hour showcased over 15 original art pieces, all centered on ocean preservation and sustainability, while last year celebrated ocean inspired music performed by the LA Choral Lab. Blue Economy trailblazers are honored with the Innovator award, the NextGen award and, in special circumstances, the Cornerstone award for those longtime supporters.
This year, AltaSea will celebrate pioneers in the Blue Food sector, including Andrew Zimmern, celebrity American chef and restaurateur. As an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award recipient, Andrew is a dynamic TV personality, chef, writer, and dedicated global citizen. He has committed his life to fostering cultural acceptance, tolerance, and understanding through culinary experiences, while also emphasizing the significance of ocean health, sustainability, and responsibly sourced food to secure a better future for generations. AltaSea will honor Andrew with the Innovation Award presented by lifetime ocean advocates, Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau.
Zimmern’s work, including his co-creation of the Emmy and James Beard Foundation award nominated PBS documentary-series Hope in the Water, his work telling stories on and about our global water systems for over 20 years on television across 12 series, The Blue Foods Cookbook, co-authored by Andrew Zimmern and Barton Seaver in collaboration with Fed By Blue, his advocacy for fresh and salt water food systems as a global ambassador for the United Nations World Food Program, the Nature Conservancy, creating access to sustainable fish and seafood as a pillar of his work with the Environmental Working Group, and as a founding member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture inspires us all to take global action for healthier oceans and a more sustainable food future.
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Now in its 11th year, AltaSea has developed a 35-acre ocean technology campus that is home to many innovative climate solutions focused on the ocean in a variety of industries, including aquaculture, carbon capture, renewable energy, and ocean exploration. AltaSea also partners with high schools, colleges, and universities to provide educational experiences for the next generation of climate scientists and innovators.
This year’s event spotlights vendors and collaborators deeply connected to AltaSea’s mission to accelerate ocean innovation:
- LA Harbor College Pavilion – Blue Economy Culinary Arts: In partnership with LA Harbor College’s acclaimed Culinary Arts Program, this pavilion will spotlight next-generation culinary talent. Students will prepare recipes inspired by our 2025 Blue Hour Honoree, Chef Andrew Zimmern.
- Seaweed Pavilion – Featuring Kelp Ark: This pavilion will highlight the power of seaweed as both a sustainable food source and a regenerative force for our oceans. A featured well-known LA chef, selected by Chef Sammy Monsour, will create culinary experiences that celebrate seaweed’s diversity. In collaboration with Kelp Ark, this pavilion will emphasize the ecological and culinary significance of marine plants.
- Braid Theory Pavilion – Sustainable Innovation Meets Cuisine: Curated in partnership with AltaSea partner Braid Theory, this pavilion will explore ocean-conscious packaging and the future of eco-friendly food innovation. It will blend food artistry with storytelling, integrating sustainable materials into the culinary journey.
- Blue Robotics Pavilion: This pavilion will bring a chef-curated tasting of oysters that champion shelf-stable, sustainable options for ocean-based nourishment.
All Blue Hour proceeds help to fund AltaSea’s education programs.
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Ticket Information
Ticket Options
- $150 for Blue Hour Admission ticket
- $500 for Blue-Access VIP ticket
Tickets Include
- Admission to Blue Hour
- 1 Meal Courtesy of Trani’s Dockside
- Access to Open Bar
Blue-Access Includes
- Private outdoor lounge
- Bar with signature drink
- Mix & mingle with award winners throughout the night
Sponsorship Information:
Contact Sandy Schaeffer at sandy@aubryandco.com or Aileen Sagara at aileen@aubryandco.com
Learn more about our Blue Hour Sponsorship Opportunities here.
The funds raised by Blue Hour supports AltaSea’s Ocean STEM, which provide educational programs to students throughout Los Angeles at no cost, giving them an opportunity to learn about the vast opportunities within the blue economy – from marine conservation to underwater robotics and clean energy.
If you cannot attend Blue Hour, you can donate to AltaSea here
AltaSea is a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax-deductible