THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995              TAG: 9508180645
SECTION: FLAVOR                   PAGE: F1   EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: Morsels 
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   39 lines

WHEN THEY THINK VA., THEY'LL THINK OF SEAFOOD

WHEN PEOPLE around the country think of Virginia cuisine, they're likely to envision glazed hams and roasted peanuts. But those of us on the commonwealth's coast know Virginia offers some of the best seafood in the world.

To try and educate the rest of the country and increase sales of Virginia seafood, the Virginia Marine Products Board and The Virginia Waterfront, a regional tourism marketing group, have launched a Virginia cuisine campaign. Promotional goodies include a cookbook, recipe postcards and T-shirts.

The cookbook, ``Virginia Waterfront Cuisine'' (Bicast Publishing, 1995), includes 50 recipes developed by noted chefs from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg. Some recipes, such as the Crabmeat Norfolk from Lockhart's Seafood Restaurant, are old favorites. Others are new twists from innovative chefs. The book, which costs $5.95, also contains interesting tidbits, nutritional information, a chart showing which species are available when, and a substitution chart from the Virginia Marine Products Board.

Local artist Vicki Bruner illustrated the recipe postcards and T-shirts. Her fanciful drawings depict Crabmeat Norfolk, Clams Casino, Rockfish, Oysters Bingo and more. A set of 12 cards, each with a recipe, costs $3.95. The T-shirts cost about $16.

Look for the items at area souvenir shops, hotels and attractions. Or, order from the Virginia Marine Products Board by calling 874-3474. ILLUSTRATION: Color illustration

This postcard features Lockhart's Crabmeat Norfolk.

by CNB