Seashore foraging picnics at some of the most stunning beaches in Wales, celebrity chefs demos, and learning to fish – just a few of the events which make Pembrokeshire Fish Week one of the most popular festivals in the country.
Voted number one in VisitBritain.com’s top 10 food festivals, Pembrokeshire Fish Week is devoted to celebrating freshly-landed fish and shellfish, the spectacular local coastline, and the county’s maritime heritage.
From June 23rd to July 1st, the festival attracts thousands of visitors keen to enjoy some of the 250-plus activities throughout the county – from beach and river walks to snorkel safaris, harbour fun days, and lots more.
And for foodies, there are lots of opportunities to tuck into the freshest seabass, mackerel, crab, or lobster – enjoy seafood extravaganzas, paella suppers, fish tapas nights and many more.
New this year is a celebrity masterclass demonstration featuring some of the British culinary world’s most highly regarded chefs at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.
Confirmed to date are Bryn Williams, winner of the BBC’s Great British Menu, Alyn Williams, Michelin-acclaimed proprietor of The Westbury in Mayfair, and Anthony Evans, presenter of S4C’s ‘Stwffio’ cookery programme.
The chefs will be fishing and diving for sustainable seafood off the Pembrokeshire coast, and transforming it later that day into inspiring dishes in a masterclass in front of a theatre audience. ‘A fair fish for a fare dish’, the evening will be presented by food writer and broadcaster Simon Wright.
Also new this year is the chance to learn about Indian fish cookery from acclaimed Kerala-born cookery star Anand George, founder of Cardiff’s New Purple Poppadom.
Anand will be holding two Indian fish curry masterclasses, and presenting an Indian fish cookery demonstration at Pembrokeshire Fish Week’s opening day at Milford Haven Marina.
Young chefs can also enjoy learning to cook with fish in new cookery demos this year at Folly Farm adventure park with ‘Ant and Al’. S4C presenters Anthony Evans and Alun Williams will be dishing up family-friendly recipes and plenty of fishy fun.
Pembrokeshire Fish Week opens with a great day for families and food-lovers at Milford Haven Marina on Saturday, June 23rd, with lots of activities, demonstrations, food, craft and produce stalls, drop-in music and art workshops and live entertainment. The day will feature a new pop up restaurant featuring a selection of top local restaurants, and a live music stage.
For the first time, guided tours will be available aboard the heritage tug ‘Brocklebank’ from Merseyside. The tug escorted the Royal Yacht Britannia into the Mersey and pushed and pulled countless liners, warships freighters and tankers around the docks.
Pembrokeshire Fish Week will close with a new Saundersfoot Harbour ‘Festival of the Sea’ on Sunday, July 1st.
Simon Wright said he was impressed by the ‘sheer breadth of activities’ in Pembrokeshire Fish Week.
“Fish Week is an example of how food festivals can achieve something dynamic that adds richness and character to the culture of an area,” he said. “Above all it highlights the rich harvest available off the Welsh coast.”
The award-winning Pembrokeshire Fish Week, now in its 12th year, is organised by Pembrokeshire County Council.
