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IT was a sweet and sour weekend recently for a well known Cardiff fishmonger.
Mike Crates came in second as being named Britain’s best fish filleter for a record 19th time at the Young’s Seafood annual British Fish Craft Championships in Wales.
But his disappointment was compensated by the fact that he was voted the Welsh Oyster Opening Champion and will now take part in World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland later this month.
But it was the elusive filleting title that he badly wanted to win largely because he has been runner up on so many previous occasions
Mike Crates, 53, of Ashton’s fishmongers, Cardiff, has spent 40 years chasing the coveted title of the UK’s champion filleter at the annual British Fish Craft Championships.
Mike said: “I was a bit gutted, but I am very proud of being a runner-up.Obviously, I would like to become number one in the country.
“And now there is a bit of a joke going round among the lads that I am always the bridesmaid and never the bride.”
Mike – whose speciality is salmon – beat a record number of entrants from Scotland and eastern England But he lost out on the title to shop colleague Nicky Woods.
He added: “We have been practising a lot over the last six months between ourselves and in the build-up, so it was really nice to do well.”
Mike was delighted with his oyster success. As well as opening the oysters in as fast a time as possible, he was judged on his presentation with marks also deducted if segments of shell remain on the presentation board.His performance was judged quick and clean, with his oysters finishing up in an orderly display, complete with a splash of lemon.
At the festival fishmongers from all over the UK gave demonstrations on how to fillet salmon, canoe fillet a sea bass ready for stuffing, dress crab and prepare scallops.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
