Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, is delighted to announce the shortlist for the BIM Young Fishmonger 2016 competition today, the 17th September, 2015.
The five finalists are as follows:
- Peter Shanahan, Fish Seafood Deli, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork
- George Stephens, The Fish Market, Blanchardstown, Dublin
- Stephen Fagan, Kish Fish, Coolock, Dublin
- Lidia Ulaszek, Dunnes Stores, Knocknacarra, Co. Galway
- Eoghan Crowe, Quinlan’s, Killarney, Co. Kerry
BIM’s Young Fishmonger competition aims to recognise and reward young fishmongers and in doing so; raise the bar across the sector in terms of product knowledge and skills. As an Island nation, we have an abundance of quality seafood and this initiative aims to encourage Irish consumers to buy seafood more often and to seek advice from their local fishmonger on how to prepare and cook delicious seafood at home.
The competition is supported by well known seafood chef and TV personality, Martin Shanahan who will provide a masterclass in seafood cookery to the finalists. The shortlist of five nominees will now compete in round two and three of the competition involving in-depth visits by the judges to assess their knowledge of seafood, their understanding of quality issues, skills, techniques and customer service.
The finalists will be tested on their business insight and practical skills, in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty on the 11th November. This will include filleting and preparing a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints, as well as discussing their future business plans. The winner of the overall competition due to announced at an awards event that evening in Martin Shanahan’s restaurant Fishy Fishy in Kinsale.
Finalists will receive a specially designed trophy, a place on BIM’s retail development workshops, a set of professional knives and a cheque for €500. The winner will receive a study trip to France and a cheque for €1,000.
Donal Buckley, BIM’s Business Development & Innovation Director explains the rationale behind the competition; ‘This programme directly recognises young talented fishmongers that have a clear passion for seafood. They represent a bright future for the business, which after a difficult few years has seen a recovery with total seafood sales increasing by 5% this year. It is encouraging to see that our finalists not only possess the necessary technical skills and product knowledge but they all have the requisite drive and passion to expand and develop their business. Good luck to all of our finalists’
Follow BIM’s social media pages for regular updates and to support and hear more about the finalists.
