Guthrie Theater

Sarah Spleiss, general manager of Sea Change, provides her perspective on the often misunderstood word "sustainable" that really sets Sea Change apart from other seafood restaurants.

Q:  What's your take on sustainability?
A:  I think it is amazing how much the culture has changed over the years as far as being environmentally aware. When I was a kid, it meant going to Minnehaha Creek and picking up trash on Earth Day. Composting was something we did to save money. My parents didn't use the word organic; they said, "Go weed the garden." And eating out involved a microwaved meal at the Perkins in Monticello on the way up north to Grandma's cabin.
But as it relates to responsible dining, the culinary culture over the last 10 years has really changed the definition of eating out. Now, there are so many options for diners to choose from that are environmentally responsible and affordable. I think people may have a stigma about our restaurant that we're higher-end and unaffordable because we use the words "sustainable" and "seafood." But this is completely untrue. Chef Jamie Malone blends the ideas of affordability and sustainable seafood together swimmingly. Our menu is sustainable because the fish we offer have been caught or fished in a manner that least disturbs the populations or eco-systems they live in. However, because of the culinary path that has been paved for us over the years, we can afford to provide the seafood to our guests in an affordable fashion.

Q:  How do you keep up on sustainability?
A:  They have an app for that. Yep, its true-sustainability in the palm of your hand. I just love it. If you go to mobile.seafoodwatch.org, it's easy to stay updated on what seafood to enjoy based on sustainability criteria and what restaurants in your area offer sustainable seafood. If the mobile app causes a craving for more information about sustainability, a few other sites that are really helpful are the Marine Stewardship Council website and The Monterey Bay Aquarium website.

Q: Why should we care about sustainability?
A:  My mother always says, "You can never know how far the ripple goes." One small choice to use less water, to recycle or to eat more consciously can create a momentum that we may never see or feel but that's there. I understand that as a society we are inundated with information about the health of our planet, and it can be overwhelming. That's why I choose to think of the ripple effect. I believe that one responsible decision every day creates a lasting impression. If Sea Change can be the decision you make that day, then we're happy to do the rest of the work for you!

Q: Okay, changing subjects, is there anything new coming up at Sea Change?
A: There's so much going on here! We've launched a new lunch menu that offers even more of our guests' favorite Sea Change dishes and we'll be adding specialty drink nights. There's always a reason to visit Sea Change!