Gary Quinn of Stephens' Fish Market in Mullingar.

Gary in final of fishmonger competition

Gary Quinn of Stephens’ Fish Market in Mullingar is one of the five finalists in the BIM Young Fishmonger 2015 competition, the winner of which will be announced in the Radisson St Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin tomorrow, Monday November 24.

The other finalists are: Gerard Collier, Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead; Stevie Connolly, Connolly’s Fish Company, Rathmines, Dublin; Mateusz Kowalik, Dorans on the Pier, Howth, and Neil Turner, Cavistons Food Emporium, Glasthule, County Dublin.

The five have been extensively judged with in-depth visits to their shops to assess their knowledge of seafood, their understanding of quality issues, skills, techniques and customer service.

Their practical skills were tested on November 12, when each finalist was required to fillet and prepare a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty.

Gary has more culinary expertise than your average fishmonger. A trained chef, he studied professional cookery in Cathal Brugha Street and gained a wealth of cookery experience as an apprentice in the kitchens of Dromoland Castle, Sheen Falls Lodge, the Shelbourne Hotel and on board the Sea Bourne Legend cruise ship, where he spent two six-month contracts working at sea.

Having already worked with the owner of Stephen’s Fish Market, George Stephens, he was given the opportunity to manage the Mullingar shop as the business expanded and George opened a new premises in Maynooth. Gary’s enthusiasm for his job is infectious and he has many regular customers who seek his advice on the latest seafood recipes.

The most popular fish in Stephen’s Fish Market is Clare Island Irish Organic Salmon, and Gary’s favourite seafood dish is the classic Sole Meuniere (Gary likes to use a whole black sole and cook it in a pan with some butter, capers, lemon juice and parsley).

Stephen’s Fish Market have recently opened their third shop in Blanchardstown, Dublin; see https://www.facebook.com/thefishmarketmaynooth

As part of their prize, the five finalists will receive a master class in seafood cookery from TV chef and owner of Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, Martin Shanahan. They will also receive a specially designed trophy, a place on BIM’s retail development workshops, a set of professional knives and a cheque for €500. The winner will receive a study trip to France and a cheque for €1,000.

Send Gary message of support, or find out more, at www.bim.ie; and

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