CJ Jackson, who runs the Billingsgate Seafood School – she knows her herring from her halibut.

Fishy masterclasses coming early next year

For many centuries fish and fishing were the very lifeblood of Hastings. The piscatorial pioneers who brought in those doughty denizens of the deep formed a firm foundation for the town’s economy that lives on today. So it’s great that, following on from a fabulous weekend at the Hastings Herring Fair, the team from Billingsgate Seafood School are returning to deliver some workshops to show us how to make the very best of the local catch in Hastings. Toby Sargent reports.

The Herring Fair on the Stade at the beginning of last month was a huge success, with a special highlight being the masterclasses presented by the Billingsgate Seafood Training School. Their skill, imagination and infectious enthusiasm persuaded many that not all fish dining involves batter and deep frying.

Herring

So it’s good news indeed that the team will be returning in the new year with workshops entitled ‘A box of seafood.’

A box of seafood
They will run twice a day on three dates: 14 January, 11 February and 25 March. The idea – and hence the title of the event – is that each one will feature a box of seafood which will be the best of the local catch of that particular week. If you sign up you’ll learn about the species that appear in the box, how to prepare it and then how to cook it.

Hastings fish pie or Goan fish curry?
What’s more the workshops will be themed. Attendees will go home with fish and a recipe prepared for supper. So the first one, on 14 January, will feature Hastings Fish Pie; on 11 February they’ll be showing you how to prepare aromatic Goan fish curry, as hot or mild as you like; and finally on 25 March seafood with smoked paprika, tomato and chilli spaghetti will be the chosen menu.

Councillor Dawn Poole is excited that the team, under C J Jackson, CEO of Billingsgate Seafood School, is coming back to the Classroom on the Coast for this series of workshops:
“(Ms Jackson’s) support and enthusiasm for our local fishermen and the catch is fantastic. One week the box of seafood may contain dabs, gurnard and whiting and the next it may be plaice, mackerel and cuttlefish. You’ll get a feel for the seasonality of seafood and support the local fishermen at the same time. I really recommend these workshops; her knowledge and expertise is second to none”.

Councillor knows her fish
Cllr Poole clearly knows her fish. Each two-hour workshop costs £32 and includes all ingredients and recipes. Classes run at 9.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 2.15pm each day. Want to book a place, and get the ingredients and recipe for a fabulous supper afterwards? Contact the Billingsgate Seafood School on 0207 517 3548 to make a booking.

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