Sealed with a kiss: Nigel Barker, Kelly Rutherford stand up to end the Canadian seal hunt

While they may not be as glamorous as fur seals (their luxe-coated cousins up North), I could not help but fall head-over-heels in love with the adorably playful, awkwardly vocal sea lions that sang, danced, and swam with me during my travels to the Galapagos Islands in 2009. So you can imagine how touched and thrilled I was to have been invited to Tuesday evening's Chefs for Seals NYC event, a fabulous soiree that celebrated the more than 250 New York chefs who have pledged to stand up for seals by boycotting Canadian seafood.

With forces like Nigel Barker, Kelly Rutherford, Cat Cora, Mario Batali, Beth Ostrosky-Stern - plus thirty James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef supporters - the impact of this cause is growing: more than 130 of America's highest regarded restaurants have established seal-friendly seafood buying policies, which means that they have pledged not to purchase some, or all, Canadian seafood until the country's commercial seal slaughter ends. Pair that with an additional 5,500 US restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels who are also pledging their support to help end the commercial seal hunt in Canada, and you've got one hell of a steadfast cause.

So, are you ready to stand up for seals? Here are three *free* ways to show your support:

Find restaurants, grocery stores, and chefs who have joined the boycott near you!
Pledge your support for the boycott of Canadian seafood
View Nigel Barker's seal images from his 2008 visit to the harp seal nursery in eastern Canada

Please enjoy some of my favorite captured moments from the Chefs for Seals NYC event, held on various levels of the lofty and fabulous Skylight West...