Second Annual "Shrimp & Pasta Party!" Launches Today on Facebook, Hosted by The Shrimp Council and OLD BAY® Seasoning

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its wildly popular debut last year, The Shrimp Council's "Shrimp & Pasta Party" Facebook promotion kicks off again today, giving fans of the Council's Eat Shrimp page another opportunity to drum up some inventive shrimp-and-pasta cyber-recipes!

The Shrimp Council is hosting the 2013 edition of the six-week promotion in partnership with OLD BAY® Seasoning.

Overwhelmingly chosen as a favorite combination in a survey of Eat Shrimp fans conducted last August, the delectable duo of shrimp and pasta are a natural fit!  And the distinctive taste of OLD BAY Seasoning takes this simple meal to the next level, delivering bold, zesty flavors.

America's #1 seafood, shrimp, is an ideal complement to pasta dishes ranging from tantalizing Thai to authentic Old-World Italian.  According to the Rome-based International Pasta Organization, Americans enjoyed an average of nearly 20 pounds of pasta per person in 2011. 

Also in 2011, shrimp reigned supreme, with American's consuming more shrimp than any other seafood, averaging just over 4 pounds per person.  The popularity of the two ingredients, combined with their affordability, ease of preparation and versatility, makes shrimp and pasta a perfect pair.

The second annual "Shrimp & Pasta Party!" on The Shrimp Council's Eat Shrimp Facebook page begins Feb. 13 and continues through the 40 days and nights of Lent, culminating on Easter Sunday, March 31.

The promotion features an interactive recipe contest, a place for people to share their favorite things about shrimp, and more.  Fans are encouraged to come up with creative pasta-and-shrimp meal options for a chance to win one of five "Party Season" prize packages.  Each package includes a $100 gift card – redeemable at the winner's grocery store of choice – and branded items from OLD BAY, including a T-shirt, a hat and the world-famous and deliciously unique blend of 18 herbs and spices known as OLD BAY® Seasoning.

"The flavor pairing of OLD BAY and shrimp dates back more than 70 years.  Where there is shrimp, you're going to find OLD BAY.  Whether it's steamed shrimp, shrimp scampi, or even creamy shrimp and penne, OLD BAY is the flavor that makes the dish unforgettable," said Ben Flood, Product Manager for OLD BAY.  "Shrimp is the perfect ingredient for making OLD BAY shine."  

Consumers are invited to join the party by "liking" Eat Shrimp on Facebook and checking out the Shrimp & Pasta Party app.

The interactive recipe contest invites fans to create their own shrimp-and-pasta recipes using preselected ingredients from six categories:  pasta, protein, sauce, veggies, cheese, and, of course, herbs and seasonings.  Each selected ingredient will automatically populate on a plate, ultimately displaying a final "dish" that the contestant submits for judging.

The contest runs through March 31 and the five winners will be announced April 5, 2013.

"We're encouraging fans to get creative with our shrimp & pasta party," said Judy Dashiell, senior vice president at the National Fisheries Institute.  "We think OLD BAY is a great way to prepare shrimp. Shrimp, pasta and OLD BAY is an exciting combination – delicious, nutritious and very easy to prepare."

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/EatShrimp.

About The Shrimp Council
The Shrimp Council's mission is to promote shrimp as a nutritious and delicious protein.  Council members source sustainable shrimp from around the globe for Americans to enjoy at home and in restaurants.

Shrimp Council Members
Tampa Maid Foods Inc., King & Prince® Seafood, Mazzetta Company LLC, CenSea Inc., Eastern Fish Co., Sea Port Products Corp., Harbor Seafood Products, Rich Products Corporation, H&N Foods International Inc., Morey's Seafood International LLC, High Liner Foods Inc., and Great American Seafood Import Co.

Associate Shrimp Council Members
A&B Chemical Company Inc., Joseph C. Murray, Los Angeles Cold Storage Co., Nekkanti Sea Foods Limited, Preferred Freezer Services, Pyramid Transport, SGS North America Inc., Hub Folding Box Company Inc.

About OLD BAY
For more than 70 years, this distinctive blend of 18 herbs and spices has been a time-honored taste.  Just as the recipe hasn't changed, neither has the iconic yellow and blue can.  Once only enjoyed by a lucky few along the Chesapeake Bay, OLD BAY® Seasoning has gained fans all across the country.  Best known as THE seasoning for shrimp, salmon, crab and other seafood dishes, OLD BAY these days also is used to flavor hamburgers, chicken, pizza, pasta, vegetable dishes and more.  OLD BAY Seasoning is also available with 30-percent less sodium and has been the inspiration for 14 additional OLD BAY products.  For more information, recipes and the OLD BAY online store, visit www.oldbay.com and www.facebook.com/oldbay.

OLD BAY is one of McCormick & Company's (NYSE: MKC) portfolio brands.  As the leading global supplier of innovative flavor solutions, McCormick has built a portfolio of leading flavor brands that enhance people's enjoyment of food all around the world.  Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick.  McCormick Brings Passion to Flavor™.

SOURCE The Shrimp Council