As one of the Foodbuzz: 24 X 24 Gulf Coast Ambassadors, last night it was my privilege to participate and showcase the cuisine of the Gulf Coast region. This event was held in St Pete, Florida at my friend Jennie's house with the proceeds going to the Greater New Orleans Foundation thanks to Foodbuzz with the focus on helping fishermen and their families in the area who have been subjected to the fallout from the BP oil disaster since April 20, 2010.

The stakes have been devastating to every single state along the Gulf Of Mexico and nobody knows if there will be much of a future for inhabitants or residents of the area. There is a darkness that looms in our offshore waters and the oil invasion is currently taking a heavy toll on all of us living in the coastal regions.

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Torre del Oro was constructed between 1221 and 1222 by the Berbers. This Golden Tower was the last point of a fortress that extended from the Alcazar to the river. Huge chains crossed the Guadalquivir river and this structure anchored them thus preventing ships from sailing upstream. The chains were used in the city's defense against the Castilian fleet during the reconquest.

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oil spill layer in Google Earth

Like most everybody, I have been watching with horror as the events in the Gulf of Mexico have been unfolding over the last 50 days. Lately I have been using technology to make the most sense of what is actually going on out there. In case anybody has missed it, Google has a crisis response page for the oil spill located at http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/oilspill/. You can get the latest maps and Google Earth layers as well as watch YouTube videos and get the latest news.

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On my home home I stopped at the fish market. As I approached the counter the owner brought my attention to these bad boys. He must have remembered my love of crustaceans and he was curious if I'd arrive before they closed. Sometimes my days are long and this was one of them. "Seeing those," I said, "I hope you can recommend a bottle of wine as well."

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As the oil monster continues to toil through the depths of the Gulf of Mexico I take snapshots along my route.

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What the heck are we supposed to think of the fish now? NOAA closed 19% of the Gulf of Mexico to fishing. The gulf is the only known spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna.

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Last night, I got my mojo on and filled the night air with music while throwing a light bite together. The palm trees blowing in the wind were soothing. This dish was my contribution to the cinco de mayo party my neighbor was having. Sorry I didnt bring my camera along but my hands were so sticky from all the shrimp and coconut and sweet drinks it was too much.

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