Sourcing trip to Newlyn Fish Market.

It was an extremely early start for all of our apprentices this morning as we all headed to the fish market in Newlyn, West Cornwall for 6am. We were meeting our fish merchant Matt Stevens who talked us through a typical auction at the market. There wasn’t much landed this morning – only 2 boats came in, but it still gave our apprentices a good idea of what happens and how fish is bought and sold.  And there was still a nice selection of fish from cod, squid, mackerel and monkfish to name but a few for them to see.

The auction ended about 8.30ish and then Matt took us all to the fisherman’s mission for a nice cup of tea!  Just what we all needed to refresh ourselves from such an early start. After our break, we walked along the pier and Matt talked to us about the fishing industry and showed us which boats are used for different types of fishing. Matt knows so much about fishing it’s a joy listening to him speak.

Following our walk along the pier we got back on the bus and went over to a little ‘trucker’ cafe in St Erth for a cooked brekkie before heading off to Matt’s factory in St Ives.  We split into 2 groups as the factory isn’t big enough for us to all be shown around at once.   Matt showed us the whole process of what happens when fish come in, to when they go back out again to restaurants.  It’s great for the apprentices to understand fully what happens from the minute fish are caught through to it arriving at Fifteen Cornwall.   All in all, a great sourcing trip.