Hope in the Water Blue Carpet Premiere & VIP After Party at Joyce

When the Hope in the Water docu-series made its world premiere at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ Ted Mann Theater in Los Angeles, I was honored to attend—and even more honored to host the VIP after party at my restaurant, Joyce Soul & Sea in Downtown LA.

Produced by PBS, Fed by Blue, and Intuitive Content, this beautifully shot and deeply heartfelt series dives into the power of regenerative ocean farming, the future of sustainable seafood, and the communities working to reshape our relationship with the ocean.

The event brought together a powerful lineup of chefs, producers, ocean advocates, and storytellers—including celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Bennett, and many of the creative forces behind the show.

Once the screening wrapped, we welcomed the cast and crew, including celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Bennett, and many of the creative forces behind the show, to an intimate after party at Joyce. The vibe was celebratory but purposeful—because this isn’t just a show, it’s a movement.

The kitchen turned out a series of sustainable seafood bites that reflected the core themes of the series—flavor, integrity, and responsibility. And just when the night couldn’t get any better, my homie Brian Borneman rolled through fresh from the carpet, suited up, and still made it behind the line. In true chef fashion (and no socks in loafers, naturally), he jumped in to help prep crudo, slicing fish like a boss in a three-piece suit. That’s the kind of energy this movement inspires.

Much love to the entire team at Hope in the Water, especially Chef Andrew Zimmern, Jill Kauffman Johnson, Katherine Bryar, Jennifer Bushman, and everyone at Fed by Blue, PBS, and Intuitive Content, for putting so much heart and vision into this project. It’s a powerful reminder that storytelling and seafood are both tools to inspire change—and that we, as chefs, have the privilege and responsibility to lead by example.

Hope in the Water premiered June 19 on PBS. Tune in, share it, and let’s keep the conversation going.