If you’re hosting an event in Maine, you already know there is just something special about this state – and is all the more reason to show your guests exactly why it’s such a wonderful place! Trust us when we say there is nothing more “Maine” than a classic New England lobster bake done the old-fashioned way, which makes including it in your event festivities a no-brainer! It’s unique, locally sustainable, and such a fun way to celebrate with friends and family. Below, we’ve put together some basic dos and don’ts for your Maine lobster bake.
What Is a Traditional New England Lobster Bake?
A New England lobster bake is traditionally done by layering all parts of the meal (think corn, lobster, potatoes – we’ll get to this part shortly!) together in a bed of rocks and seaweed, cooked over fire. How do you know when it’s done? When the egg “timer” you put in is hard-boiled, of course! At The 1812 Farm, our lobster bakes are always prepared in the traditional manner, so you know your event will be true to the Maine way!
DO – Use Locally Sourced Lobster
Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a place where fresh lobster is this easy to come by, so be sure to treat your guests to nothing but the best locally sourced Maine lobster! There is absolutely nothing that compares to the tender, juicy lobster meat that comes from some of the coldest parts of the Atlantic ocean, just off Maine’s rocky coast.
Not only is locally sourced lobster always more delicious, it’s better for the environment and helps to stimulate the economy and keep our state’s hardworking lobstermen and lobsterwomen in business.
Our lobster at The 1812 Farm comes directly from the source: Jason Lord, a second-generation lobsterman based out of New Harbor who catches fresh hauls daily on his boat “Ava Lucille.” He brings his lobsters directly from the sea to our barn and then cooks them for you like only a true Mainer knows how. This is as authentic as it gets when it comes to a lobster bake!
DO – Include All the Add-Ons
A true Maine lobster bake experience includes lobster, of course, but there are many other sides that make up this classic meal. When you host your lobster bake at The 1812 Farm, your guests will get to enjoy all of the following:
- 1 ¼ lb fresh Maine lobster
- Freshly-dug Maine “steamers” (steamed clams)
- Roasted potatoes and onions
- Local sweet corn on the cob
- Hot drawn butter
At the end of your meal, finish off with our delectable Maine blueberry cake – truly the essence of Maine!
DON’T – Underestimate That They Can Get a Little Messy
Lobster bakes are fun, unique, and make for a once-in-a-lifetime memory. That said, they are not necessarily for the faint of heart – lobster bakes can get a little messy if you’re not careful! At The 1812 Farm, we take all precautions to help you stay clean and fresh by providing you with all the tools you will need to dig into your Maine lobster supper!
DO – Make Sure You Have All the Tools You Need
Having all the tools needed to successfully crack and eat your lobsters is essential to a New England lobster bake! The 1812 Farm provides all necessary items for you to enjoy your meal:
- Picnic-style trays
- Cutlery
- Paper baskets (for clams!)
- Lobster crackers and picks
- Wet naps
- Lobster bibs
DON’T – Forget to Add Your Own Touch!
It’s your event, and we want each detail to be custom-tailored to your taste! When you host a lobster bake at The 1812 Farm, we give you plenty of options to add your own touch to the event. Feel free to include additional appetizers, bar service with specialty cocktails, or even non-seafood entrees for guests who may have allergies or sensitivities. Our team wants to help make this an event you and your guests will remember for years to come!
Contact The 1812 Farm
With your New England lobster bake at The 1812 Farm, you will experience all the ingredients of a traditional Maine meal. Fresh from the docks to your plate, there is nothing quite like it! To learn more about hosting an event at our barn in Bristol, Maine, please contact us today!