An Update !
It’s been nearly a year since my last newsletter and that time has zipped by with the full force and speed of the run of an ebb Spring tide. In that time, ‘A Passion for Seafood’ has developed from merely a platform for UK seafood provenance and an exercise in developing new routes to market for fishermen (since April 1st 2020 into a multi-role business, supplying fresh seasonal fish and shellfish via both wholesale and retail, alongside the existing consultancy.
Originally, the business was focussed on writing and consultancy - storytelling if you like, making that vital connection between producer and consumer, often so astonishingly overlooked, by chefs, hospitality, media and government, with misinformation rife as to how ‘sustainable’ our seafood actually is.
Now here we are, approaching the ‘cod end’ of 2021 and finally, it looks like I might actually have some time to start writing again and supporting our rapidly evolving business with stories, information, recipes and broadcasts, which will reflect the seasonality, traceability and responsibility of the fabulous products we’re selling.
It’s been a very tiring and at times, trying time, over the last 20 months or so, but now the platform we have is even stronger and underpinned by a range of amazing products that I’m able to source from a myriad of dedicated UK boats and suppliers. From my first delivery of wild bass into London, in the back of my pick up, to a thriving wholesale business serving chefs and fishmongers along with our traditional Wet Fish Shop at Grange Farm near Woodbridge in Suffolk, we’ve come an awful long way, and I thank every one of you, fishermen, customers, chefs, suppliers and family and friends for your much appreciated, essential and ongoing support.
‘Net to Plate’ or ‘Shore to Shop are not just hashtags or sound bites, but reflect the essence of a philosophy for sourcing fish and shellfish of unsurpassed quality, with minimal environmental impact and the shortest possible route to market. Watch this space as we continue to develop our strategy and reach out to more consumers, by fundamentally supporting our fishermen and their communities and communicating the realities of the fishing industry via accuracy and integrity.
Look out too for more regular ‘Fish Tales’ again in the New Year!
Mike