Restaurants cook up a storm to help Fishermen's Mission

As England’s Seafood FEAST Festival wrapped up for another year, the top two fish and chip restaurants in the UK cooked up an exclusive, two-course collaboration supper at Pier Point Bar and Restaurant.

On Tuesday, October 8, Pier Point hosted their Champion Seafood Celebration, along with Knights Fish Restaurant from Glastonbury, which won 'Best Restaurant of the Year' at the 2024 National Fish and Chip Awards.

The event was part of England’s Seafood Feast, a two-week celebration of locally landed and caught seafood at over 30 eateries across the bay.

This event celebrated the region’s rich maritime heritage and culinary delights in the Devon towns of the Bay. With unique and immersive experiences, including kayaking for seafood, foraging from Coast to Caves, and even a fish-themed event for dogs, this year's Seafood FEAST turned out to be the culinary event of the year.

It also came a day after the 13th annual Food Drink Devon Awards, where Pier Point discovered that they had once again won gold for hospitality.

Pier Point chefs Tony and Kelly created a gourmet seafood sharing starter, showcasing local monkfish, whiting, and mackerel with a unique twist, all sourced from Brixham's world-famous fish market.

The main dish was award-winning hake and chips, homemade tartar sauce, and mushy peas by George Money, head fryer and general manager of Knights, with support from Pier Point’s Charlie James, who came 6th in the 2024 Drywite Young Fish Fryer of the Year.

Experts from across the industry attended the ticketed event, including a spokesperson from the charity Fishermen's Mission, which the event raised proceeds for.

Owner Lorraine Arnold made a speech to express her gratitude to everyone in attendance at this fundraising evening.

She said, “It means an awful lot, especially for the charity. The cause has always been really very dear to our hearts, even before we entered the industry and knew what Fishermen's Mission was. We have supported the charity ever since we found it."

Fishermen’s Mission is the only charity in the UK to solely support the lives of fishermen and their families, who face significant risks at sea to bring us our beloved national dish.

Fishermen’s Mission would not be properly represented without its iconic mascot, Albert, who appeared during the speeches and greeted all of the guests during their meal.

Lorraine also introduced a speech from George and his family, who represented their five-generation family business.

George said: “I’m truly humbled by Lorraine and Kelly’s invitation to support this fantastic event during National Seafood Week.”

He proceeded with a heartfelt summary of his passion for fish and chips, the history of his family’s over 100-year-old business, his wife, whom he married shortly after the restaurant’s award, and the owner of Knights, whom he affectionately calls mum.

He concluded: “I cannot wait to dive in the kitchen with this talented team to create a seafood feast to remember. But first, here’s to Lorraine and her team for their great effort, and maybe the trophy sitting on our table over there will be yours in five months' time.”

The bay should watch for more awards, as Pier Point’s head fryer, Charlie, has once again reached the final 12 candidates for the 2025 Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year.