New Haven Earth Day Celebration with Miya's Sushi & ROIA

New Haven Chefs Bun Lai of Miya’s Sushi and Avi Szapiro of the newly opened ROIA will square off for The Nature Conservancy’s Picnic for Earth after the Rock to Rock Earth Day bike ride April 20 in New Haven.

At the Rock to Rock finish line in East Rock Park at about1 p.m., the two chefs will engage in the second annual “Picnic Battle for Earth, ” a light-hearted, friendly contest to craft the most delicious and sustainable picnic dish.

James Beard Foundation Award–nominated Chef Bun will be defending his hard-earned title from last year’s picnic battle, and he and Chef Avi—who apprenticed under European Michelin star chefs—will be working with a palette of ingredients chosen by Facebook friends of The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut and donated by Elm City Market.  

Radio broadcaster Bruce Barber, creator of “The Real Life Survival Guide,” a public radio show heard on WNPR, will emcee this picnic throw-down.

Picnic battle judges include Cristina Chang Bryant, co-owner and chef at Sweetpea Real Foods to Go in Cheshire; Martin Torresquintero, outdoor adventures coordinator for the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees; and a third, surprise judge.

About 1,000 riders are expected to join Rock to Rock, which benefits organizations that are working to create a greener, healthier New Haven community.

Along with the picnic, the Conservancy is fielding a team of rider-fundraisers at Rock to Rock. Conservancy Trustee Todd Miranowski has generously offered to match, dollar for dollar, the total amount of donations made to “Team Nature Conservancy Rocks!” up to $10,000.

“This is great fun for an even greater cause,” said Frogard Ryan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut. “The Nature Conservancy is so grateful to Todd, Bun, Avi, and everyone who’s helped make Rock to Rock and Chef to Chef possible. Gentlemen: Get ready to do battle—picnic battle!”

Picnic for Earth is part of The Nature Conservancy's All Hands on Earth campaign, the first-ever sustainable global campaign designed to deeply engage people across the world in a conversation about today’s urgent environmental challenges. This movement of millions was built to support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to save land and water resources by asking people the question: What will you do for Earth?

The Nature Conservancy launched Picnic for Earth in 2011. Last year, picnics were held in more than 50 countries.