Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Local fishmonger has all the right ingredients for success

One local fishmonger has been putting his fish filleting skills to work in preparation for his competing for the title of Young Fishmonger of the Year 2015.
30-year-old Gary Quinn of the Fish Market on Castle Street, Mullingar is one of five finalists in Ireland who have been shortlisted to be put through a tough test of filleting skills and seafood knowledge which will be held in Clonakilty, County Cork in the coming weeks.
Originally from Ballaghaderreen, in County Roscommon, Gary has a wealth of experience in the culinary business to his name, having worked as a chef in some of Ireland’s finest hotels, including the prestigious Shelbourne Hotel on Dublin’s Stephen’s Green and Drumoland Castle in Co. Clare.
Working in recent years with the Seabourn Cruise Line company, Gary’s career as a chef has also taken him to the four corners of the world, sailing the Caribbean and India, taking in some of the most spectacular views along the way.
It was having family responsibilities, however, that brought him back home to Ireland. “You’d get used to the great scenery every day and start to miss your family, so it would be time to come home, ” says Gary.
To get to the final five in the competition, Gary must be doing something right and ticking all the boxes with the judges, having six surprise visits from Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s panel of judges who assessed him on his fish display, fish knowledge and shop atmosphere.
Gary’s achievement is all the more special as it gives the Fish Market the unique distinction of making it to the final of the competition two years in succession.
In 2013, manager of The Fish Market, George Stephens, was also a finalist in the competition.
Since Gary and George opened the Fish Market in 2008, the business has gone from strength to strength, with three locations in Mullingar, Maynooth and more recently, Blanchardstown.
Asked if he was confident in winning the overall competition, jovial Gary was eager to share his optimism. “I know I’ve the ability and a wealth of experience, but I’ve no idea what my fellow competitors will showcase, so you never know. I’ll have to brush up on the filleting skills!”
The shortlist of five nominees will now compete in round two and three of the competition, involving in-depth visits by the judges to assess their knowledge of seafood, their understanding of quality issues, skills, techniques and customer service. The finalists will also be tested on their practical skills with each finalist required to fillet and prepare a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty.
As part of their prize, the five finalists will receive a master class in seafood cookery from renowned TV chef and owner of Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale, Martin Shanahan. Finalists 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.
The overall winner will be announced at a presentation ceremony in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin on Monday, 24 November.

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