Striper season opens in the Chesapeake Bay

OK. So what was I doing a couple of weeks back when I posted this picture? Sheriec63821 guessed that this was fileted striper. That is correct!

Once again, I was tasting, not cooking!

On one of those majorly blustery days just  before the nor'easter proper, our (completely devoid of humility) outdoor writer, Lee Tolliver, challenged Executive Chef Derrick Mason at the Surf Club Ocean Grille at the Wyndham at the Oceanfront to a striper smackdown. Striper is one of the finest local fishes in my book, firm white fish with a medium-mild taste and a bit of nuttiness.

There was lots of blustery weather in the restaurant kitchen that day as the two cooks went at it. Check out a preview here. And then check back tomorrow for a story in the Flavor section, complete with the winning recipe, and an online video.

And Sheriec63821, whoever you are, please send me an e-mail at lorraine.eaton@pilotonline.com and leave your mailing address. And just like that, a brand new cookbook will arrive in you mailbox! Thanks for guessing!

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