ADVANCED FISHMONGER CANDIDATE GUIDE This booklet contains all the Participation Statement information you will need to apply as The Master Fishmonger Standard an MFS Advanced Fishmonger on the (MFS) recognises that there are a Master Fishmonger Standard. It is considerable variety of fishmonger- designed to support the knowledge related qualifications, provided by and experience of candidates, trainers a range of independent companies and assessors whilst at the same time and training organisations. The MFS avoiding prescribed techniques. aims to integrate these courses under one umbrella framework, Developed by the Worshipful Company providing a system of nationally of Fishmongers (The Fishmongers’ recognised grades which reflect both Company), the Master Fishmonger the knowledge and qualifications of Standard strives to foster excellence a fishmonger. As a truly independent within the fishmonger trade by organisation, the Company will encouraging and enabling a high govern the Standard, with training and standard of skill, and the growth of assessment provided by Company- knowledge about , fishing, approved regional delivery centres and the seafood industry. and assessors.

Acknowledgements Many people have contributed to the preparation of this handbook by attending MFS working party meetings and by making detailed and constructive comments on the draft. Grateful thanks are due to all members of the MFS Steering Group for their help in the production of this publication. WELCOME SCOPE OF THE STANDARD

Passionate about and the Recognising achievement across environment whilst upholding the all levels and different disciplines, heritage and craftsmanship of the Master Fishmonger Standard is the fishmonger trade, the Master composed of four tiers. Fishmonger Standard celebrates professional excellence by certifying MFS Recognised Fishmonger fishmongers with extensive An individual relatively new to professional skills and knowledge. the trade, but who demonstrates exceptional drive and tenacity. To be a certified MFS fishmonger shows a true commitment to the trade and to the future of our oceans. MFS Advanced Fishmonger An experienced and dexterous individual with a passion for the trade.

MFS Master Fishmonger An innovative, knowledgeable and high-skilled fishmonger, with a wealth of experience in the industry.

MFS Companion An esteemed fishmonger who has demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievements in the fish trade.

WHAT IS AN MFS HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ADVANCED FISHMONGER? Having taken your first steps towards This booklet has been developed for attainment of the MFS Advanced individuals seeking to gain recognition Fishmonger accolade, this guide as an MFS Advanced Fishmonger. will walk you through the processes involved in obtaining recognition. You MFS Advanced Fishmongers will need to read it carefully and work demonstrate dedication to their field through each process meticulously. of work within the seafood industry, and help to inspire the fishmongers of The guide sets out clearly: tomorrow through leadership. To be a • The application and certified MFS Advanced Fishmonger assessment process is to carry with you the knowledge • Guidance notes on how to apply from your predecessors. It is to be for the MFS Advanced Fishmonger an innovator, a forward thinker and a accolade catalyst for change. • Criteria that list the skills, experience and behaviour of an As an MFS Advanced Fishmonger, MFS Advanced Fishmonger you live by the trade, from trimming, de-boning, filleting or slicing. Your products are always hand-finished to the highest quality. With your breadth of knowledge and ability to connect with consumers, you are always on hand to offer recipe and preparation suggestions. You understand the importance of sourcing products that come from environmentally and ethically sound , and help to increase consumer confidence in the seafood industry.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE 4 MFS Assessment – Knowledge APPLICATION PROCESS Test and Practical Observation Following a review of your 1 Registration application, we may invite you Take the quick quiz to find out to take the MFS Assessment, which MFS tier applies to you consisting of a Knowledge Test and register online at and Practical Observation. The www.masterfishmonger.co.uk. MFS Assessment will test your practical skills, knowledge and behaviour as a fishmonger. You 2 Download and read this will need to achieve a pass rate in Candidate Guide both the Knowledge Test and the Familiarise yourself with the Practical Observation to receive details of the application process the MFS Advanced Fishmonger and the Criteria for the MFS accolade. Advanced Fishmonger tier.

Candidates with extensive training 3 Self-Assessment Form and and experience may be awarded Supporting Evidence the accolade through merit. Complete the Self-Assessment Form, upload any qualification 5 After Your Assessment certificates / supporting evidence, Based on the evidence provided, and pay the registration fee. we will make a recommendation about your application. PRE-REQUISITE STANDARDS MFS ADVANCED FISHMONGER CRITERIA As part of the registration process, you will need to declare that you meet You will need to demonstrate how the pre-requisite standards of the you fulfil the Criteria of an MFS MFS Advanced Fishmonger Criteria, Advanced Fishmonger, composed as follows: of ten categories. Each Criteria is a statement of what you must prove 1 Actively employed as a fishmonger to justify receipt of the Standard. 2 At least 5 years’ industry experience You can demonstrate to your 3 Supervisory / managerial Assessor that you have the skills, experience in the fish trade knowledge and experience to pass that category if you have an References will need to be provided appropriate qualification or and should specify the length of time substantial supporting evidence. you have worked at the establishment. If the supporting evidence options Referees will need to be in a position listed are not applicable to you, of authority and should endorse your then you will need to take the suitability as a potential candidate for MFS Assessment. the Standard. Food Safety and Hygiene 3b MFS Assessment 1 You can implement food Qualification safety procedures. Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment Supporting evidence options:

1a Food Safety qualification, Fisheries and Aquaculture Level 2 (or equivalent) 4 You understand the challenges and opportunities facing Qualification the and Supporting Evidence aquaculture sector, and are Take the MFS Assessment knowledgeable about wild fish

stocks, seasonal variations, quotas, sustainability initiatives HACCP and harvesting methods and 2 You understand the purpose and quotas. features of HACCP, and can apply it in the workplace. Supporting evidence options:

Supporting evidence options: 4a a qualification covering fisheries and aquaculture, Level 3 2a HACCP qualification, (or equivalent) Level 1 (or equivalent) 4b experience in a range of fish Qualification and shellfish related occupations,

with employment references 2b MFS Assessment Take the MFS Assessment 4c MFS Assessment

Qualification Supporting Evidence Health and Safety Take the MFS Assessment 3 You can develop and implement health and safety policies and procedures, and can carry out risk assessments in the workplace.

Supporting evidence options:

3a Health and Safety qualification at a Level 2 (or equivalent) Fish and Shellfish Products Preparation and Knife Skills 5 You can identify and talk about 6 You can prepare a wide range a range of commercial and of fish and shellfish products underutilised species (i.e. taste, by hand, and know how to do texture, colour, nutritional content, specialist fishmonger techniques health benefits, preparation and (such as specialist filleting recipe suggestions) and understand techniques, smoking, curing, the factors which contribute and brining). to seafood product availability, condition, quality and price. Supporting evidence options:

6a a qualification covering the Supporting evidence options: principles of seafood preparation, 5a a qualification covering principles processing and packaging of of seafood selection and / or seafood for the or catering purchasing, seafood product trade, Level 3 (or equivalent) knowledge, nutrition and / or 6b at least five years’ experience professional cooking with a focus supervising fishmongers in a retail on seafood, Level 3 (or equivalent) or catering environment, with 5b at least five years’ experience employment references in a culinary position within 6c at least five years’ experience a restaurant or catering supervising the processing and environment, with employment manufacturing of seafood products references with employment references 5c at least three years’ experience 6d participation and winning awards supervising fishmongers in the in fish and shellfish preparation retail or catering fishmonger trade, competitions with employment references 6e MFS Assessment 5d practical experience of selecting and purchasing fish and shellfish Qualification from docks and markets with Supporting Evidence references/supporting evidence Take the MFS Assessment

5e MFS Assessment

Qualification Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment Fish and Shellfish Retail Quality Assessment 8 You understand the regulations, 7 You understand the impacts procedures and best practice associated with handling, guidelines when displaying processing and post-processing seafood for retail, and understand on seafood quality, and can assess how to promote and sell seafood quality and spoilage in a range products. of species. Supporting evidence options: Supporting evidence options: 8a a qualification in customer service 7a a qualification in Seafood and / or retail skills in a food Quality Assessment, operation, Level 3 (or equivalent) Level 3 (or equivalent) 8b at least 3 years’ experience of 7b experience in implementing supervising fish and shellfish Quality Index Monitoring and / operations for the retail trade, or TORRY in a retail or catering with employment references fishmonger environment, with 8c MFS Assessment employment references Qualification 7c at least three years’ experience Supporting Evidence supervising or managing Take the MFS Assessment quality assurance in a retail or catering fishmonger outlet with employment

7d evidence of having trained employees on seafood quality assessments

7e MFS Assessment

Qualification Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment

Handling and Processing Supervising and Management 9 You understand how to control, 10 You can identify problems and monitor and process the supply opportunities in the workplace, of seafood. and have conducted inductions and on-going training for Supporting evidence options: staff / employees. You can also monitor and report on 9a a qualification in handling production performance, plan and / or processing seafood, work schedules, and establish Level 3 (or equivalent) procedures for operations. 9b at least 3 years’ experience supervising fish and shellfish Supporting evidence options: operations in a 10a a qualification covering environment, with employment food safety management, references management of people 9c MFS Assessment management or supervising of food operations, Level 3 Qualification (or equivalent) Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment 10b evidence of managing a team in a retail or catering environment with employment references

10c evidence of having created training manuals and associated resources for the fishmonger industry

10d evidence of having held inductions and / or training sessions for fishmongers

10e MFS Assessment

Qualification Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment

HOW TO COMPLETE THE Qualification SELF-ASSESSMENT FORM The Standard’s Criteria can be met through the submission of You will need to demonstrate how a professional course certificate. you fulfil the Criteria of an MFS If this applies to you, mark the Advanced Fishmonger, composed ‘Qualification’ box, then upload or of ten categories. Each Criteria is a submit a copy of your certificate. statement of what you must prove to justify receipt of the Standard. Supporting Evidence In some cases, you may be able For each Criteria: to demonstrate that you meet the 1 Read the Criteria and Supporting Criteria by submitting Supporting Evidence Options, think about your Evidence. Your Assessor will need own experiences and how you to be confident that your evidence is meet the requirement. sufficient to pass the Criteria.

2 Select the relevant box from one MFS Assessment of the following options: If you cannot demonstrate that Qualification you fulfil the Criteria by way of a Supporting Evidence Qualification or Supporting Evidence, Take the MFS Assessment then you will need to demonstrate that you meet the Criteria by completing the MFS Assessment.

3 Gather any evidence, then submit it with your form and registration fee. EXAMPLE QUESTION Answer: AND ANSWER Fishmonger X has worked in the industry for 6 years, does not have a formal qualification in fisheries and Question: aquaculture, but previously worked as Fisheries and Aquaculture a commercial fisher for two years. As 4 You understand the challenges Fishmonger X fulfils Criteria 5b, they and opportunities facing would tick the Supporting Evidence the commercial fishing and box and could submit any one of the aquaculture sector, and are following: knowledgeable about wild fish • An employment reference or stocks, seasonal variations, contract relating to the previous quotas, sustainability initiatives employment as a fisher and harvesting methods and • Correspondence or evidence quotas. demonstrating relevant training and / or days at sea Supporting evidence options:

4a a qualification covering fisheries Important Note: Fishmonger X must and aquaculture, Level 3 demonstrate that they fulfil for all (or equivalent) ten Criteria points via a qualification certificate and / or supporting 4b extensive experience in a range evidence, if they are to be exempt of fish and shellfish related from taking the MFS Assessment. occupations, with employment references

4c MFS Assessment

Qualification Supporting Evidence Take the MFS Assessment HOW TO COLLECT AND You may present your evidence using PRESENT EVIDENCE a variety of mediums and sources including photographic material, If you have substantial experience online reviews, customer letters, or to fulfil the Criteria’s requirements, personal testimonials from a trainee, then you may submit evidence to colleague or manager. References demonstrate this. should provide positive feedback and be relevant to a specific Criteria. As a general structure, the evidence Whenever a qualification is being provided should fall into one of the used as proof of achievement a clear following broad categories: copy of the original certificate should be presented as evidence. Please • qualifications or parts of do not submit original copies. If you qualifications relevant to each are submitting a hard copy of your Criteria documents, a contents page should • jobs in which you have held a be provided and all evidence should position of authority, from which be clearly linked to the Criteria you can provide references number to which it refers. • significant on-the-job experiences and responsibilities All documents submitted will be • work experience or placement treated as confidential and will only periods outside of your normal be disclosed to MFS personnel and job role elected independent assessor(s). • site visits or work experience events when you have gained a new view of an aspect of the industry • competitions or other industry events in which you have participated and possibly won awards • membership in trade associations • any other form of public recognition of your skills.

REVIEW OF YOUR APPLICATION THE MFS ASSESSMENT

Once you have submitted your We may invite you to take the application and evidence, it will MFS Assessment, comprised of be assessed by an Independent a Knowledge Test and Practical Assessor, who will decide if you meet Observation, to demonstrate the Criteria for an MFS Advanced compliance with the tier’s Fishmonger and if you need to take requirements. If this is required, we the MFS Assessment. can arrange for the assessment to be taken at your place of work or at your Candidates with extensive training nearest MFS-approved training facility. and experience may be awarded the Scheduled MFS Assessments will also accolade through merit. be posted on the MFS website.

You must pass both the Knowledge Test and the Practical Observation to achieve the MFS Advanced Fishmonger accolade. As a trained fishmonger, passing the assessment is within your reach. However you must still take the time to revise and practice your skills. For further information about the support we can offer see the section, MFS Course and Training Resources.

Important note: The MFS Assessment and the MFS Course incur additional fees. These fees will need to be paid to the approved MFS Assessor and / or training facility prior to taking the exam / course. THE KNOWLEDGE TEST THE PRACTICAL OBSERVATION

The Knowledge Test will cover The Practical Observation will cover all aspects of the MFS Advanced a broad range of skills based on Fishmonger Criteria. Each Knowledge fulfilment of the MFS Advanced Test features 60 multiple choice Fishmonger Criteria. questions, comprising 1 mark each, and 10 short answer questions Whilst your Assessor will take into comprising 2 marks each. You will consideration your place of work be given 90 minutes to complete the and respective duties, you must be test. You will need to achieve a grade able to demonstrate that you are an of at least 70 % (i.e. 56 marks out of accomplished fishmonger and have the 80 available) to pass. the skills and a working knowledge and understanding of all the following: If you have any concerns about • strict food safety and HACCP the test, you should make these elements known to your Assessor before your • advanced fish filleting styles and assessment day. techniques for a wide range of flat and round species Remember to follow these top tips • shellfish preparation for a wide during your exam: range of species • Read all the answers before • consistent yield accuracy and selecting one attainment at speed • Cross out answer choices you • portion cutting to exact customer are sure are incorrect specification • Circle important words in the • seafood quality assessment question • supervising and management • If you are unsure of a question, leave it, carry on and come back You will also have to demonstrate an to it at the end excellent working knowledge of one • Never leave a question of the following: unanswered • customer service • retail display (set up, maintain and close-down), and • handling and processing seafood The assessment should last no more On the third day of the course, you than 3 hours and can be conducted at will take the MFS Assessment at the your place of work or at an approved School’s training facility. You will need training facility. You will need to to fulfil the prerequisite standards of achieve a grade of at least 70 % to the MFS tier to take the test. pass the practical assessment. Independent Study The Seafood Training Academy is MFS COURSE AND a collaboration between seafood TRAINING RESOURCES training networks, training organisations, providers and individual We strongly advise all candidates to trainers. They offer a variety of make use of the online resources and learning resources and workbooks, approved fishmonger qualifications which are free to download, as well prior to taking the MFS Assessment. as specialist fishmonger training Your success at the MFS Assessment programmes. will largely depend on your experience and level of preparation. Approved Training Providers Across the UK, there are many The MFS Course fishmonger courses and qualifications This course has been specially which have been approved by Seafish developed for candidates wishing to and the MFS as meeting a high pursue either the MFS Recognised standard of training with respect to or MFS Advanced tiers. Candidates materials, trainers, resources and will need to complete a series of experience. For further information MFS workbooks and attend a three- about these providers, please see the day course at the Seafood School at MFS website. Billingsgate in .

The MFS course will cover:

• Seafood Quality Assessment • Fish and Shellfish Product Identification • Fisheries and Aquaculture • Hand and Knife Preparation Skills • Retail Display Skills • Handling and Processing After Your Assessment After you have taken your MFS assessment, you will be issued with a summary report detailing your grade. If the Assessor feels that you have some way to go to meet the requirements, then they will provide you with direct support and advice on actions that need further improvement. Please take note of these concerns and reservations, and ask for clarification if you are unclear about what is required of you.

Once you have met the Criteria, you will be awarded with the MFS Advanced Fishmonger award. You will receive a certificate, an MFS Advanced Fishmonger embroidered badge, and will be issued with an MFS member number. Useful Contacts

General Programme Enquiries The Master Fishmonger Standard The Fishmongers’ Company Fishmongers’ Hall London Bridge London EC4R 9EL www.masterfishmonger.co.uk [email protected] 020 7626 3531

MFS Preparation Course and Examination Enquiries Seafood School at Billingsgate Office 30, Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Way London United Kingdom E14 5ST www.seafoodtraining.org [email protected] 020 7517 3548 The MFS is supported by: www.masterfishmonger.co.uk

Design & Art-Direction: Freytag Anderson