From foraging for wild food on the coast to a fish and shellfish masterclass, Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2008 is a feast for seafood-lovers. From fresh mackerel to seabass, lobster, crab, mussels, monkfish, pollack, mullet, turbot, salmon, and trout; there's something to tickle everyone's tastebuds! Held between June 21 and 29, Pembrokeshire Fish Week involves cookery demonstrations, talks, courses, and tutored tastings, plus hundreds of opportunities to tuck into fresh, locally-caught fish and shellfish at local restaurants and pubs. One of the highlights will be 'Tonks at the Torch' - learn how to prepare and cook seafood with one of the experts - fishmonger, restaurateur and food writer Mitch Tonks. The founder of FishWorks, Mitch will be presenting a Celebrity Fish and Shellfish Masterclass at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on June 26 at 7.30 pm. Recently voted Tatler's 'Restaurateur of the Year', Mitch said he wanted to challenge people's ideas about cooking and eating fish. "If you thought cooking fish was only for special occasions, needed a three-year training course or is fussy and complicated, then think again," he said. "This is fish fresh off the market, simply prepared and eaten without smothering it in complicated coulis; fish grilled with lemon, olive oil and parsley, shellfish roasted in fresh tomatoes and herbs, big sharing plates of seafood pasta. This is fish for people who love fresh simple and tasty food." Mitch will also be holding a lunchtime tutored tasting at the Swan Inn in Little Haven, including local catch from spider crab to sewin and other species from around the UK. Welsh celebrity chef Angela Gray and champion fish craftsman Duncan Lucas will be holding fish and shellfish cookery and filleting demonstrations at Fish Week's opening day at Milford Haven Docks on Saturday, June 21, while Duncan Lucas will also be holding demos at Tenby's 'Harbour Happenings' on Sunday, June 22, together with S4C chef Mel Thomas. Cooks can also enjoy 'Wok Fish'- an oriental fish cookery class at Pembrokeshire College, and 'The Considerate Catch' at Y Mochyn Drwg in Newport - find out how to cook fish responsibly by transforming fish from in-season sustainable stocks into dishes to be proud of. Duncan Lucas will show you how to make the most of fresh fish and shellfish and specialist techniques in a hands-on practical workshop, 'Fillet with Flair', at Pembrokeshire College, while at Tudor Lodge restaurant in Jameston, you can learn the different cuts of fish and quick and easy ways of cooking them. Pembrokeshire's wonderful coastline and many sandy beaches - the West Wales county is surrounded on three sides by the sea - also lends itself to lots of opportunities to forage, fish, and cook your own catch in the great outdoors! Forage for shellfish and edible plants, and learn how to cook them correctly at a Coastal Bushcraft weekend near Sandy Haven, with expert bushcraft instructor Matt Oliver, before camping out overnight. Learn how to fish from kayaks with TYF Adventure in St. Davids - with a spot of luck, you'll be cooking your own mackerel, bass or lobster back at barbecue at the TYF eco-hotel. Take a fishing trip with the Broadside Boat Charter from Dale, and take your catch to the village's Griffin Inn for it to be cooked - or bring your fresh mackerel ashore from the 'Tenby Fishing' and ask the chef at the 'Hope and Anchor' or 'Buccaneer' to cook it while you wait - don't forget the Pembrokeshire new potatoes! Or why not combine a boat trip along the Cleddau estuary with a seafood lunch or supper on the riverside? Stop off for lunch at Lawrenny village's Quayside Tearoom, where you can tuck into freshly dressed local crab salads, or roast lobster in garlic butter - or enjoy an evening river cruise with a fish supper on your return at the Jolly Sailor in Burton. Don't miss 'Midsummer Mackerel Madness' at Saundersfoot - bring the family to the village and enjoy fresh, locally-caught mackerel straight off the harbour, accompanied by the lively sounds of the Samba Set; or follow the Saundersfoot Seafood Chowder Trail; tour the village, try as many chowders as you like, and vote for your favourite! Restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars throughout Pembrokeshire will be putting on special fish and shellfish dishes throughout the week, from seafood extravaganzas or tapas to fish chowders, homemade fish pie, crab salads, Spanish and Caribbean theme nights, and much more. At Porthgain, tuck into traditional fish and chips at The Shed, AA Seafood Restaurants of the Year 2006/07, or enjoy a crab lovers' weekend at the Sloop Inn with locally caught crab dishes, from crab salad to Thai crab cakes. Try the 'Great Lobster Sale' at the Swan Inn, Little Haven - delicious local lobster served a stone's throw from the sea, or visit Solva, where you can sample freshly dressed Solva crab or lobster thermidor at the Cambrian Inn, or a seafood extravaganza at the Old Pharmacy; a real feast of moules mariniere, tempura tiger prawns, and fresh Solva lobster. At Marloes, try local Jack Sound mackerel gravadlax or crab cakes at the Clock House - and look out for the Stena Line Fish Week Dinner - a mouth- watering four-course local seafood dinner preceded by a champagne reception at Fishguard. Meanwhile, if you love music, don't miss the live sea shanties following a fresh local fish or shellfish supper at the Taberna in Herbrandston or the Royal Oak Inn in Saundersfoot, or 'Jazz at the Seaside' - jazz music and a delicious Pembrokeshire fish brunch with fresh local fish at the Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby. Pembrokeshire Fish Week will be launched on Saturday, June 21, with a fun-filled open day at Milford Haven, the traditional home of the Pembrokeshire fishing industry. The Sea Fair Haven festival will also be taking place, where you go on board a variety of tall ships and view classic boats moored at Milford Docks. Pembrokeshire Fish Week is organised by Pembrokeshire County Council. For more information on Pembrokeshire Fish Week, view http://www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk">www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk, email [email protected]">[email protected] or ring Kate on 01437 776168.
