Champagne and Oysters Anyone?

Champagne and Oysters anyone?

Immediate Release 10th March 2016

Love champagne, seafood and an atmospheric harbour-side location? Then make sure that the award- winning Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival - taking place 9-10 July in Weymouth Harbour – is in your calendar.

Imagine if you could finally learn how to fillet a fish with confidence, or even encourage your children to try something other than fish fingers! Meet the chefs, experts and fishermen who can help you unravel the myths surrounding seafood, whilst giving you the inspiration to try something new.

Because Weymouth's 17th-century Old Harbour is a unique destination and one of the most picturesque harbours in Europe, you can choose from lapping up the scene with a glass of Pommery Champagne whilst watching the boats float by, or get active with our Broil King Barbecue Master Class - where you can learn from Billingsgate Seafood Training School and local experts using regionally caught seafood – all of which will be high on the menu.

Come hungry as there is a plethora of mouth-watering, tasty fish dishes prepared by local chefs, restaurateurs and stall holders. This year’s special star is a giant oyster, proudly presented by Pete Miles, chef proprietor of The Cruel Sea and Dorset Oysters – also from ITV’s ‘Harbour Lives’. Other much loved regular chefs include Crab House Cafe’s Nigel Bloxham, River Cottage’s favourite forager – John Wright, and Dorset’s award-winning Russell Brown, Matthew Budden and Mat Follas. And you’ll probably be able to spot a Stein or two, as well as a number of salty seadogs as you wander along the harbour side. Pommery UK Director, Sara Hicks says: ‘If you need time to relax, dip into one of our Pommery bars around the harbour where you can taste some of Pommery’s award-winning champagnes. Pommery is a perfect partner with seafood, especially oysters.’’

A not-for-profit event, the organisers raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission with support from Champagne Pommery, Seafish UK, Weird Fish, Fisher & Paykel Appliances and Dream Cottages.

For more information, visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Ends

Notes to the Editor

1. News release supplied by Brand Acceleration: for more information please contact Anna Wallis on 07803 180 550

2. Visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk for videos and images from previous events or contact Anna Wallis for specific shots

3. Dorset Seafood Festival represents the UK’s largest, free-to-attend seafood festival, recently winning Gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards for Tourism Event of the Year as well as Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and Silver in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in 2015/2016.

Charity Information - The Fishermen’s Mission

The Fishermen’s Mission is the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care. It helps all fishermen, active or retired, and their families. It does this by:  Offering immediate assistance, day or night, to the families of fishermen who have been killed or seriously injured

 Looking after the survivors of fishing boat accidents · Helping injured or ill fishermen to find medical help · Finding emergency housing and food if necessary

 Supporting fishermen’s families in the case of illness, distress or financial difficulties

 Alleviating loneliness by visiting retired fishermen and their families at home or in hospital

 Offering welfare and support to overseas fishermen working in the UK fishing industry, especially those who have to live onboard boats · Providing Christian pastoral and practical help, including problems with debt, sickness, bereavement, family difficulties and addiction problems.