The Blake family have been fishing the seas off Ventnor Bay for decades and Ventnor Haven Fishery is a much loved destination for fish lovers across the Island.
What is the best thing about the Isle of Wight foodie scene?
There is a real hunger for local produce, particularly from second-homeowners. With the recent emphasis on food miles, the Island is a brilliant example of what can be achieved in a small area.
What is your favourite dish you cook using local seafood?
My favourite dish to cook is crab linguine. It’s incredibly easy to cook but has wow factor. Fry off some garlic and red pepper or chilli until cooked, mix through some cooked linguine (spaghetti works just as well). Take off the heat, add some cream cheese, then add 50/50 cooked crab meat, stir in some spinach and allow the residual heat to warm the crab through and wilt the spinach. Perfect.
Where is your favourite place to eat seafood on the Island?
Ventnor Haven Fishery supplies cafés and restaurants across the Island and they all do a fantastic job, but I still believe my mum cooks it the best. I suppose she’s had a bit of practice over the years!
What is your favourite event on the Island?
There are plenty of fantastic parties on the Island, but my favourite event is one put on by nature. On certain summer evenings, the beaches on the south-west coast of the Island turn shimmering silver with whitebait. The mackerel herd the whitebait into foreshore until the waves chuck them up the beach and it provides one of the most beautiful sights you’ll see anywhere. If you’re lucky, you might spot a dolphin or two enjoying it as well.
