A prime example of this celebration is the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival which takes place over the weekend of 11th – 12th July 2015 on Weymouth Harbour. The festival highlights the incredible array of fish and shellfish that are landed on the Dorset coastline and showcases some of the nation’s best Seafood chefs.
Organisers work closely with local experts from seafood industries to find unsung heroes, interesting stats and info and of course – delicious recipes! In 2014 local fishermen were brought on board to talk about whelks and the ‘Whelk Revival’ and visitors to the festival enjoyed an array of whelks all prepared in different ways. Over 722 tonnes of whelks are landed in Weymouth alone (in 2013) and it seemed fitting to highlight this forgotten seafood to the nation. This year the scope has widened and a range of local experts and advocates came together to offer their thoughts on the most popular regional catch.
The 2015 Dorset Shellfish Heroes have provided delicious recipes, fascinating anecdotes and thoughts behind why they have selected their particular shellfish. The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival is proud to introduce the Dorset Shellfish Heroes:
Caroline & Stef Drever owners of Dorset Shellfish – Weymouth
Stef and Caroline are one of the more unique Dorset Shellfish Heroes as they are a mother and daughter team. Due to the nature of their business, they are unable to feel very feminine and have painted finger nails. So their rule is “Our toe nails are always painted and looking great”. Don't underestimate them though, Stef is one of only 3 female volunteers on the lifeboat with a strong crew of 26.
Overview – Caroline's husband and stepson are both fishermen in Weymouth, so fishing is in the blood. Dorset Shellfish was set up in 2011 and sells lobster and crab, amongst many other incredible shellfish, to restaurants and at markets. Caroline and Stef make the perfect team:
“We're out of the house by 6am most mornings, I usually do the festivals and Mum tends to do the cooking and picking of crabs!” - Stef
Neil Robbins - Mission Port Officer for the Fishermen’s Mission – Weymouth
Neil is ex Royal Navy and therefore has a lifetime of working on or around boats. His job now revolves around the care and welfare of fishermen and their families.
Overview – Retired Coastguard. Now in his new role as Mission Port Officer for The Fishermen's Mission (the chosen charity of the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival), Neil continues to enjoy working with the people that make their living at sea.
“I have always been a Christian, so it is wonderful to mix my faith with all things nautical” - Neil
Nick Bryant, Factory Manager at Samways Fish Merchants – Bridport
Nick isn't just passionate about fish and shellfish, this Welsh boy is mad for it! Cuttlefish is a real favourite of his. Nick's love of Dorset has found him settling here and looking for love, so if any Dorset women have great tips on removing cuttlefish ink from clothing, Nick would love to hear from you!
Overview - Samways Fish Merchants has been trading for over 50 years. Nick has an incredible passion for fish and always knew he would be working with the fruits of the sea. He has a huge drive to educate and inspire people about seafood.
“From port to plate in 24 hours is our motto” - Nick
John Worswick, Scallop Diver – West Bay
Don't bother asking for a great scallop recipe from John, he likes them as they come, straight from the water, cut open and eaten raw!
Overview – John combined his love of diving and shellfish together and now provides the county's top restaurants and fish merchants with his hand-dived scallops. A real favourite for many!
“The water is so clean in Dorset. We also have protected areas which mean the shellfish is more abundant” - John
Innes & Carole Spencer, The Fishbox – Weymouth
Owners of the Fishbox in Weymouth. Whelk loving Innes is keen to promote the humble whelk and help to disperse its bad rep!
Overview - Innes began life as fishermen over 20 years ago and has since moved into the retail side of things with wife Carole, they now sell fish rather than catch it. However the early starts haven't really changed much, an integral element of Innes' job now is leaving for the fish markets at 3am. The whelk revival in 2014 was a tremendous success and Innes and Carole have seen more of an uptake on his beloved whelks since!
“Not only do I love whelks, but I love showing people the best way to cook them” - Innes
Pete Miles, Founder of Dorset Oysters, The Cruel Sea and Storm restaurants – Poole. Oysters are the food of love and we have them in abundance thanks to Pete and his two tides a day!
Overview – Pete's passion for food was inspired by watching Keith Floyd on television as a child. He got into fishing part-time and met lots of chefs, he soon realised this was something he wanted to pursue. Pete founded Dorset Oysters and owns two successful restaurants in Poole.
“Poole harbour has a double tide a day which assist in the growing of our oysters. The shallow waters and lots of sunshine mean that the oysters are some of the fastest growing in the country. In 18 months the oysters can go from the size of a pin head to the size of a plate! We also have pristine waters.”
