A Passion for Seafood Stage

The Seafood Stage is focused on the incredible seafood caught, prepared and sold on the East Coast. We want to celebrate the small businesses who fish sustainably, show you how to prepare fish, and where you can buy the best quality fish on our doorstep. Not all demos are fish-focused, but will still follow the same sustainable methods.

All demos are free to attend, and visitors can come and go as they please.

Below is the line-up for 2024 so far. Chefs and timings are subject to change

Saturday 28th September

10.00

Jordan Ryan

Head chef at The Weeping Willow in Bury St Edmunds. 

11.00

Tom Aikens

Originally from Norwich, Tom is a renowned Michelin starred chef with restaurants all over the world. He is also a regular on BBC’s Great British Menu.

12.00

CJ Jackson

CJ is the CEO of the Billingsgate Seafood School and for the last 20 years has been delivering a large programme of courses for chefs, caterers, catering students and members of the public, and now runs Kent Seafood.

13.00

Jon Fell

Seafood is Jon’s absolute passion, and local and seasonal seafood in particular are key elements of his culinary style. Regularly appearing on TV and writing recipes for apps, the teaching and mentoring of young chefs of the future has also become a huge part of his career.

14.00

Philippa Davis & Laura Taylor

Philippa is a Chef and Food Writer, who has worked at the Michelin starred The River Café and Moro restaurants before setting up and running her award-winning café, Mudchute Kitchen, on London’s largest city farm.

15.00

Rob Mace

Rob is head chef at the Westleton Crown. Born in Norfolk, Rob moved to Suffolk to develop his career with food. His knowledge and love of the area and its local produce are reflected in his menus that change with the seasons.

16.00

Roger Aston

Roger is an accomplished chef with a dynamic career in the hospitality industry, spanning several years in various roles from cheffing to management and training.

Compere

Mike Warner

Mike is owner of A Passion for Seafood, and more recently British Seafood & Fisheries Ambassador at Wright Brothers. Mike will be running the seafood stage throughout the weekend.

Sunday 29th September

10.00

Husk

Supper Club, farmstead and eco retreat in rural Suffolk, established by chefs Joey O’Hare and Katy Taylor, offering the finest seasonal menus.

11.00

Gerard King

A regular and favourite of the Festival, Gerard is owner of Salter and King butchers in Aldeburgh. With a passion for provenance and high quality, Gerard’s lessons in meat prep and cookery are not to be missed.

12.00

Rowen Halstead

As a chef in the industry for over 12 years working in some of the most experienced kitchens in the country and across the globe, Rowen has witnessed first-hand the immeasurable amount of avoidable food waste that can be produced due to a lack of concern, knowledge and creativity. His cookery, demos and classes focus on reducing waste.

13.00

Jon Fell

Seafood is Jon’s absolute passion, and local and seasonal seafood in particular are key elements of his culinary style. Regularly appearing on TV and writing recipes for apps, the teaching and mentoring of young chefs of the future has also become a huge part of his career.

14.00

Jake Lawrence

Jake is Head Chef at Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa, who focuses on local and seasonal menus. He sources much of his seafood from Lowestoft for the restaurant and will be showcasing his skills at the festival this year.

15.00

Philppa Davis & Laura Taylor

Philippa is a Chef and Food Writer, who has worked at the Michelin starred The River Café and Moro restaurants before setting up and running her award-winning café, Mudchute Kitchen, on London’s largest city farm.

Compere

Mike Warner

Mike is owner of A Passion for Seafood, and more recently British Seafood & Fisheries Ambassador at Wright Brothers. Mike will be running the seafood stage throughout the weekend.