A Burnham-On-Sea fishmonger sharpened up his knife to take part in a televised competition where the title of ‘Young Fishmonger of the Year’ was up for grabs on Tuesday evening (December 14th).
Matt Murray, 24, who worked at Sea Foods on Burnham High Street for six years, won the coveted title last year.
And he had high hopes of repeating the success again, but was up against some strong competition this year during the ‘Young Fishmonger of the Year’ competition, which was broadcast on BBC Three.
Matt showed off his skills at speed filleting some of Britain’s finest fish and also made a delicious seafood platter alongside three competitors.
However, the two judges – fishmonger to the stars, Rex Goldsmith, and the owner of an online fishmonger, Paul Trudgian – were unimpressed with Matt’s filleting and at his decision to throw away a crab that he felt was not properly cooked.
Viewers saw him get knocked out in the first round of contest. Matt said afterwards: “I am kicking myself because I could have done things differently but hindsight is a wonderful thing.”
Sea Foods owner Stephen Wright told Burnham-On-Sea.com that Matt, who recently left to start a new job, has been a superb staff member: “He was always a model employee and was unlucky not to do better. He deserved recognition.”
