Page 3 - NFF News

HRH The Princess Royal Congratulates
the first MFS Master and MFS Companion
Fishmongers
HRH The Princess Royal presented the MFS Awards and personally congratulated the recipients of the MFS Master Fishmonger and MFS Companion Fishmonger tiers at the first Master Fishmonger Standard (MFS) Awards Ceremony, held at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall. In her address to the assembled guests, The Princess Royal encouraged the fishmonger industry to be the drivers of sustainable seafood consumption in the UK. She stressed the importance of educating consumers and supporting responsible businesses and livelihoods.
The event was attended by over 60 guests, the Awards featured talks from The Lord Phillimore, Chairman of the Fishmongers’ Company’ Fish and Fisheries Committee, Andrew Kenny, President of the National Federation of Fishmongers and HRH The Princess Royal.
Andrew Kenny thanked the Fishmongers’ Company for bringing the MFS into being, whilst HRH recognised the opportunities ahead for the fishmonger industry.
‘I believe it is the most exciting thing to have happened to the retail seafood sector in a long time, promoting higher levels of knowledge, craft skills and setting a standard to be aspired too. For many years the fish market and fishmongers may have been the last port of call for employment. That is not the case today. Seafood is a highly valued protein which needs skilled handling and knowledge to match.’ Andrew Kenny, President of the National Federation of Fishmongers
Each MFS Master Fishmonger received a certificate, wall plaque, MFS window sticker and embroidered badge. Their business will also be featured in due course on the MFS website.
MFS Master Fishmongers
Sebastian Candelon Hal Dawson
Gary Hooper Andrew Kenny Terry Martin
Clive Miller Paul Neve Chris Parker Walter Purkis Giles Shaw
MFS Companion Candidates
Charlie Caisey MBE Ken Condon
John Kenny
Tim Silverthorne John Sullivan
Ken Watmough
To apply for the MFS please register online at www.masterfishmonger.co.uk. For all other enquires please email mfs@fishhall.org.uk.
Fishmongers
are put to the test in the first MFS Course
The inaugural Master Fishmonger Standard (MFS) course was held on the 1st - 3rd of May at the Seafood School at Billingsgate. Attended by assessors from across the UK and candidates from the MFS Recognised and MFS Advanced tiers, the course helped to prepare the students for their MFS knowledge test and practical assessment.
The course covered a range of topics (HACCP, quality assessment, knife skills, fisheries and aquaculture, retail display and customer service, nutrition and cooking) and was taught by MFS Master Fishmonger, Gary Hooper and Barry O’Toole, who worked as a Fish Inspector at Billingsgate Market for over 25 years. The course received fantastic feedback from the as- sessors and students, with all students passing their exam.
“All the tutors were extremely knowledgeable and experienced in their field but were very approachable at the same time, treating us as compatriots instead of just students. The amount of knowledge I took away was fantastic.” Kenneth Williams, MFS Advanced Fishmonger.
“The MFS puts back into the industry a passion, we give the confidence to the youngsters who don’t believe that they can do the filleting or the skinning or become good fishmongers. Coming on this course, gives them that confidence to want to be able to make a career within the industry.” Ursula Hartland, MFS assessor and trainer
The next course will be held at the Seafood School later in the year. We will also be expanding the course out to training centres across the UK. If you’re interested in attending, please email MFS@Fishhall.org.uk.
National Federation of Fishmongers www.fishmongers.info
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