Jordan Keig from Robinson’s Foods on the Isle of Man has been announced as the first winner of the Master Fishmonger Standard Young Fishmonger Award at a ceremony at Fishmongers’ Hall, London, home of the historic Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
Jordan was selected from a shortlist of four candidates by a combination of a public vote and a panel of certified Master Fishmongers. Open to fishmongers aged 25 and under, the award recognises exceptional knife skills as well as customer service and passion for the industry.
“It still doesn’t feel real that I can now call myself MFS young fishmonger of the year 2019. I never thought I could achieve anything like this, so to go and win it is truly amazing,” a slightly shell-shocked Jordan said, adding that his entry to the industry came through his girlfriend, who worked at the market.
“I would like to thank the MFS for providing such a brilliant award and for giving young people who love the seafood industry something to strive for”.
The announcement of the winner concluded the second Master Fishmonger Standard awards ceremony which certified 18 fishmongers, covering the full range of career levels from new entrants in the industry up to the Master tier, that requires at least ten years’ experience in the trade.
The first female Master Fishmonger, Elaine Lorys from W Stevenson & Sons in Newlyn, also received her certification, as did John Watson of C Fayre Fishmongers, who is the first Master from Scotland. The tiers’ lifetime achievement award, the Companion Fishmonger, also recognised four individuals, including Francis Coakley-Greene. Born into a family of fishmongers, Francis lead a delegation during The Cod Wars, for which he later gained recognition by becoming an Honorary Freeman of the City of London.
The ceremony was hosted by Alison Freeman, Programme Manager at the Fishmongers’ Company, and included speeches from Giles Shaw, President of the National Federation of Fishmongers, who outlined the importance of accreditation in the sector, and CJ Jackson, CEO of the Seafood School at Billingsgate.
