Meet a specialist

What drew you to the job?

I was looking for something completely different. Though I had no experience, Waitrose could see I was keen; you have to be – the job takes over.

Was there much training?

I went on a three-day course, then spent time with a chef learning how to cook different fish.

But I’ve been doing this job for nine years and I’m still learning. The latest thing has been getting to know about the new labelling such as the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) logo.

How do you tell if fish is fresh?

Usually just by looking at it. The smell can be a giveaway too; it should smell fresh, like the sea. The bad smell that’s often associated with fish only happens when it’s not fresh.

Which fish do most people avoid?

Most people steer clear of whole fish because they don’t know what to do with one. Or they’ll say, ‘I don’t like anything with bones.’ But that’s what we’re here for; we can fillet the fish, advise how to cook it and even lend fish kettles. If you want to impress at a dinner party, presenting, say, a whole salmon, really does the trick.

Are customers concerned about sustainable fishing these days?

Yes, they often ask about declining fish stocks, particularly cod and haddock. Luckily, Waitrose only sells fish from sustainable sources, so I can usually reassure them. I can tell them exactly where a fish came from and how it was caught.

How do you get the smell of fish off your hands at the end of the day?

I wash them with water and a few coins, or one of those special steel soaps. They really work; just rub the coins, or the steel soap, all over your hands and fingers – not forgetting under the nails...

Is there a fashionable fish now, like prawn cocktail in the 1970s?

Salmon and tuna are our most popular fish, probably because they feature regularly on menus and in the media. We have to keep an eye on what’s being promoted by celebrity chefs, too, because it can have such an impact.

What’s the strangest question that you’ve ever been asked?

I can’t remember any specific one. It’s usually young men who seem not to have a clue. I like that, though. Sometimes I think I should wear a badge that says, ‘Please, ask me!’ I have this big bank of knowledge that people are missing out on…

What’s your favourite fish and how do you like to prepare it?

Tuna is a favourite. I usually just marinate it in ready-made teriyaki sauce, then fl ash-fry it for a couple of minutes and it’s done – that’s my idea of fast food. Often I visit waitrose.com/recipes to get some inspiration and new ideas.