The five finalists in the BIM Young Fishmonger 2015 Competition took part in the final judging stage today (12th November, 2014) with a practical skills test in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Each finalist had to as to demonstrate excellent knife skills by filleting and preparing a range of fish and shellfish under strict time constraints. In addition to testing their knife skills, the finalists will be interviewed on their business plans.
The five finalists in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty at the Practical Skills Test for the Young Fishmonger of the Year 2015 Competition L to R: Mateusz Kowalik, Doran’s on the Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin; Gerard Collier, Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead, Co Louth; Gary Quinn, Stephen’s Fish Market, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath; Stevie Connolly, Connolly’s Fish Company, Rathmines, Dublin 6 and Neil Turner, Cavistons Food Emporium, Glasthule, Co. Dublin
The finalists (Gerard Collier, Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead; Stevie Connolly, Connolly’s Seafood, Rathmines, Dublin; Gary Quinn, Stephen’s Fish Market, Mullingar; Neil Turner, Caviston’s Food Emporium, Glasthule, Dublin and Mateusz Kowalik, Doran’s on the Pier, Howth, Dublin) have already been extensively judged with in-depth visits to their respective shops to assess their knowledge of seafood, their understanding of quality issues, skills, techniques and customer service.
The finalists have now done all they can to impress the judges in the lead up to the awards ceremony on the 24th November in the Radisson St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin. Martin Shanahan, award winning chef, TV broadcaster and author is the guest speaker at the event and has already delivered an inspiring masterclass in seafood cookery to the five fishmongers as part of their prize. Finalists will also 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.
To learn more about each of the finalists, watch their video diaries
BIM would like to wish all of the finalists the very best of luck.
