Don’t be surprised if over the summer months you see a different type of ‘boat’ moored in False Creek. This ‘boat’ is actually a very elegant 12-person dining room, floating on a base of plastic bottles. The seaworthy dining room is the first of its kind in the world and is the brainchild of School of Fish (SOFF) founder Shannon Ronalds.

The floating ‘patio;’ designed by Matt Kirk-Buss of Loki Ocean, is constructed entirely of renewable, recycled, reclaimed and/or re-purposed materials, seats only 12 and is a fully outfitted formal dining room complete with fine china, crystal and soft music. Clear walls and ceiling shield patrons from the elements while affording them a very unique perspective on False Creek and the views beyond. Starting July 21st the floating dining room will host 60 nights of exclusive dining. Each candle-lit dinner includes a six-course sustainable seafood meal prepared by multi-award winning Chef Robert Clark of C Restaurant. Mr. Ronalds, a former sommelier, will carefully choose wines to compliment each course. The price for this once-in-a-lifetime dining experience? There is a discount for ordering early – $195 (plus taxes) per person if ordered prior to July 31^st (for any date). Starting August 1st the price goes up to $215. Group discounts will also be offered for those who wish to book the entire 12 seats for a private function. Each dinner will be personally presided over by Mr. Ronalds.

“By the end of the summer, 720 fortunate people will be able to say they had a hand in shaping the way the world treats its ocean resources. All proceeds raised through the floating dinner parties will be used to continue the development of our curriculum for culinary academies everywhere,” explains Mr. Ronalds.

The use of 1,700 ‘rescued’ plastic bottles as floatation is intended to represent one of the many issues threatening marine life. Without the ongoing recycling awareness programs from organizations such as Encorp Pacific, these donated two-litre plastic bottles could have otherwise joined the rest of the trash in the ocean. Now they will serve one last purpose prior to their eventual journey to the recycling plant.

Reservations are a must and can be made by calling 778-997-6977 or emailing contact@schooloffishfoundation.org Dinners proceed rain or shine and all ticket sales are final due to the limited time frame of the experience. If you find you cannot attend, you may transfer your ticket to someone else.

“It will be an incredible experience, floating on False Creek with the magnificent mountain and cityscape views. I could see the dining room being a fabulous venue for a private party to celebrate a special occasion or a wonderful way to meet new people. The dinners will be very intimate, as there are only 12 seats available each night. Once the 60 nights are completed, the dining room will be dismantled.”

Menus will be posted on SOFF’s Facebook page. With a minimum of three days advance notice, those with seafood allergies, or vegetarians, can be accommodated with special menus.

About the School of Fish Foundation:

On a mission to implement a sustainable seafood course into culinary academies around the world and advocating that they become a graduation requirement for all chefs enrolled in culinary arts programs, the School of Fish Foundation is working to bring a new breed of chefs into the marketplace.

SOFF also partners with fine dining restaurants that agree to give preferential hiring consideration to interns who have successfully completed this course.

Follow the School of Fish Foundation on Facebook and Twitter for the most up to date information on what’s happening. More information on The School of Fish Foundation is available at: www.schooloffishfoundation.org.