BIM Fishmonger of the Year awards 'showcase personality and expertise'
He was one of five finalists who exhibited all the skills involved in filleting and preparing a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints as well as demonstrating the passion and drive that help make a successful fishmonger.
The BIM chief executive, Tara McCarthy, said the competition is more than an accolade. It showcases the personality and expertise behind our quality seafood.
“It tests all of the requisite skills a good fishmonger must possess from product knowledge, customer service to filleting and business acumen and in doing so it raises the bar across the sector,” she said.
George Stephens, one of two Dubliners in the final, is an experienced fishmonger with retail outlets in Maynooth, Blanchardstown, and Mullingar. A professional chef, he knows all there is about preparing and cooking seafood. Supported by his wife and business partner Anne, he has a passion for developing his business further. He is constantly working on new ready-to-go seafood products and recently launched a range of freshly fried fish to his Blanchardstown store, which has proved hugely popular.
George, who received a specially designed trophy, a study trip to France and a cheque for €1,000, said he was “over the moon” to win the award.
“I have always been passionate about seafood and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoy every day in the shop from the early morning delivery of local fish and shellfish to advising customers on how to cook and prepare everything from monkfish to mussels,” he said.
Stephen Fagan, Kish Fish, Coolock, the other finalist from Dublin, has over four years’ experience as a fishmonger. He honed his skills in the company’s Bow St shop and then moved to modern premises in Malahide Industrial Estate.
He prides himself on a well-stocked fish counter that caters for a wide range of customers from business people to busy mums. He knows the importance of customer service and in keeping up with trends.
Another finalist, Peter Shanahan, Fish Seafood Deli, Rosscarbery, West Cork, trained as a carpenter and spent many years in construction. When the building industry collapsed, he returned to the fishing sector, working in Glenmar Shellfish in Union Hall, Co Cork, and then fishing on prawn and tuna trawlers.
Peter saw first-hand the variety and quality of Irish fish caught off the coast and as he was living in the idyllic surrounds of Rosscarbery he identified an opportunity for the village’s first seafood retail outlet.
He opened Fish Seafood Deli in 2011 and the business has gone from strength to strength with two mobile units serving the West Cork area with fresh fish six days a week. He has also recently opened a second shop in Clonakilty.
Peter offers his customers fresh fish straight from the busy fishing ports of Union Hall and Castletownbere. His customers particularly like how he can name the boat, skipper and crew that landed the fish.
He previously appeared on RTÉ’s A Taste of Success with his fish cake product and now that he has a commercial kitchen he has plans to develop new products with the assistance of BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty.
The only woman in the final, Lidia Ulaszek, Knocknacarra, Galway, works on a fish counter in Dunnes Stores. She is passionate about seafood and is clearly a perfectionist, with a pristine fish counter that is deemed exceptional in terms of quality, variety, display and hygiene.
She said her late father taught her how to prepare and cook seafood. She still enjoys developing her own meals, testing out flavours and varieties of fish and passing on her creative flair through recipe advice to customers.
Eoghan Crowe, Quinlan’s, Killarney, Co. Kerry, was, at 23 years of age, the youngest of the finalists. He started work with Quinlan’s while still in school, and has a wealth of experience.
At college, he worked part-time in Quinlan’s restaurant and in 2012 he obtained a full-time position in the Killarney fish shop.
Every day is different depending on the local catch from Portmagee or Castletownbere. Working for a seafood business like Quinlan’s ensures there are new innovative products and services on a regular basis.
All five finalists were judged over two months with mystery shopper visits, judging and a practical skills test and business interview in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty on the day of the awards.
The competition, now in its third year, was supported by seafood chef and TV personality, Martin Shanahan, who treated the finalists to a masterclass in seafood cookery in the kitchen of his Kinsale restaurant, Fishy Fishy, where the awards dinner was also held. Each finalist received a specially designed trophy, a place on BIM’s retail development workshops, a set of professional knives and a cheque for €500.
Donal Buckley, BIM’s business development and innovation director, said the competition directly recognises young talented fishmongers who 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 our finalists not only process the necessary technical skills and product knowledge but they all have the requisite drive and passion to expand and develop their business.”
