The Hastings fishing fleet have been catching herring off local shores since at least the 1600s, when records began. Come and celebrate the undervalued ‘silver darling of the sea’ in its many wondrous forms, from bloaters to buckling and kippers, as well as other seasonal fish. The herring are an important part of the Hastings Fish brand, which has just been launched.
As well as delicious fish dishes, stalls will be selling various local produce, wines, ciders, hot food, vegetarian options and sweet delights. There will also be a beer to delight every palate with the bar run by the First in Last Out pub and microbrewery. Confirmed traders so far include Webbe’s (of Webbe’s Rock-a-Nore and the Wild Mushroom), Judges bakery, Jali Indian restaurant, The Thai House, Olly’s Fish Shack, Penelope’s Pitstop, the BBQ Project, Carr Taylor, Biddenden, and Harbourne Vineyards, to name just a few!
You can learn to create seasonal fish dishes using the local catch with free cooking demos in Classroom on the Coast, sponsored by Hastings Fish. CJ Jackson, the CEO of the famous Seafood School at Billingsgate and the Hastings Fish brand ambassador, who will be hosting demonstrations on Saturday, 17 November at 12 noon and 2.30pm. CJ will create a number of recipes to celebrate the herring that will include: cider-soused herrings, rollmops, herring ceviche, oatmeal herrings, home-smoked kippers, and herring roe on toast with parsley and capers. Demonstrations last 90 minutes and are on a first come first served basis, so don’t miss out as these are very popular. On Sunday at noon, The Thai House will offer a cooking demonstration.
There will be plenty to entertain you too, thanks to a fantastic music line up with a folky flavour, to include a ceilidh and of course sea shanties. And throughout the weekend there will be childrens sea-themed craft activities in the Stade Hall, as well as traditional net making techniques at the Hastings Fishermens Protection Society stall in the marquee.
The annual and ever popular Hastings Herring Fair will take place on 17 and 18 November 2018 from 11am to 4pm with free entry
to visitors.
