Billingsgate Fish Market Feb 2011

Did you know:

• Lobsters have a built in knife and fork?
• You can tap a mussel shell to see if it is fresh?
• A fish’s ears run all the way down the side of its body?
• Prawns only go pink when they have been cooked?

Well, neither did the Year 10 GCSE Food Technology students until their trip to Billingsgate Market. They spent the first part of the day being entertained by Charlie, who has been a fishmonger for 60 years. What he doesn’t know about fish, isn’t worth knowing. He showed the Connaught students how to gut, filet and skin fish and of course made it look so easy. The girls were able to touch many different species and were surprised at how rough, heavy or bony they felt.

During the second half of the day the group cooked the fish that was prepared that morning. Oriental Grilled Salmon, Quick Crispy Fish Fingers and Fish and Noodle Parcels were just some of the delights they whipped up. This was followed by the best part of the day, a tasting session.

Everyone came away with a greater appreciation for fish and the different ways they protect themselves, the number of different species they could be trying and the simple and delicious ways they can be prepared.

Many thanks to Miss Schofield who organised and led this enjoyable visit