Seafood Festivals Like Seafeast Are Key Events

Seafood festivals like the one based in Weymouth Dorset are proving a great draw for foodies, wine lovers and celeb chefs.

Called this year ‘Seafeast’ the Dorset Seafood Festival has been running in the town for 13 years.

During that time it has attracted some excellent Champagne and English sparkling wine sponsors too.

This year French Rosé maker Miraval joined with three local Dorset wine makers to provide the main liquid element of the two day festival.

For many years it was a free event held around the harbour. However, due to a new road layout and additional safety installations on the harbourside the venue was forced to change.

Sadly The Move Had To Happen

Moving to a new location although still adjacent to the harbour.  The organisers had little choice but to have to apply a charge for entry.

The new location does seems to have proved a real hit.  With more space the ambience of the festival has certainly changed. And certainly for the good!

Great hit with seafood lovers.

With high costs now being levied for the use of the car park area. It was with great reluctance that the organisers Stuart Cooper and Laura Avant  had to make it an all ticketed event.

Laura Avant.

Despite that ticket sales have grown.  Advanced sales were higher this year. There was also growth in on the day ticket sales too.

The event is designed to showcase locally caught seafood in particular.

Weymouth has for decades been a key port on the South coast for landing excellent fish, crabs and lobsters.

Many leading chefs over the years have put on some excellent cooking displays.  This year saw Mitch Tonks and Mark Hix put on one of their double act demo’s.

Mitch Tonks.

Nigel Bloxham also very much a local seems to come up with some great menus for his times on the various demonstration stages around the festival ground.

Seafood Festivals Attract Celeb Chefs

Jack Stein, Sophie Michell, Matt Follas, Lesley Waters, Shaun Rankin, Russell Brown and Alex Aitken have all cooked live on stage over the thirteen years.

Jack Stein.

One important factor about the festival is that ever year it raises funds for the The Fishermen’s Mission. A charity that supports those that go to sea to fish. Plus, their families should they need support through injury or loss of life at sea.

Duncan Lucas with ‘Albert’ the mascot of The Fishermen’s Mission.

Probably one of the best seafood festivals in the country and fully supported by the fishing industry which is keen to get its products out to the public and these events are perfect for that.

See what those involved have to say:

Mitch Tonks, “I love Seafeast, its a really great event.”

Great seafood on display and ready to eat.

Mark Hicks, “Its always nice to support local seafood festivals. Weymouth lands great seafood here.”

Seafeast 2022. Weymouth Dorset.

Duncan Lucas, Fishmonger “The best thing we can do for the seafood industry is to market it to the public. And this type of seafood festival is an incredible way to do it.”

Experience And Eat Great Seafood

Nigel Bloxham said, “People come here for one good reason and that’s to experience and eat good seafood.”

Gus Caslake from Sea Fish said, “The passion you get from the people who attend. Plus, great presentations by the chefs give it a great vibe too.”

Susy Atkins from the Sunday Telegraph .

Wine writer for the Sunday Telegraph said, “This year we have a gorgeous Rosé from France ‘Miraval’ part owned by Brad Pitt. Plus three Dorset wine producers with their amazing English sparkling wines.”

‘Miraval’ with Weymouth Bay backdrop.

Looking forward and all being well and although no date has yet been released.  Do clear your diary for around 9th and 10th of September in 2023?