Here at Red Mist, we are strong believers in using fresh ingredients that are available locally according to the season. Our Head Chefs across our ten pubs, pride themselves on offering daily specials that showcase the seasonal offerings our local area produces and we ensure the chefs are giving the opportunity to learn about the journey of the ingredients before it arrives in their kitchens.
As a company that is passionate about fresh, local, seasonal food and drink; we believe it is vital to source from sustainable companies who share the same values as ourselves.
A trip to Brixham…
In September, a team of Red Mist Directors and Head Chefs travelled down to South Devon to visit Brixham, the home to some of the finest fish in the world, where we source the majority of our seafood.
Dining at the renowned Rockfish in the centre of Brixham, the team enjoyed their first evening tucking into delicious local fish whilst overlooking the festoon-lit harbour where the day boats were mooring up and landing their day’s worth of catch, which would soon be appearing at the market the very next day.
At the crack of dawn the following morning, the team donned their wellies and white coats to visit Brixham Fish Market, where the previous night’s catch had been boxed up in ice and categorised into over 40 native species. From John Dory, Lemon Sole and Plaice to Conger Eel, Lobster and Mackerel, the market displayed rows and rows of boxed fish to be auctioned off to various suppliers, including a box specifically marked for delivery to Buckingham Palace for Her Majesty’s supper!
This annual trip allows the chefs an insight into how our supplier’s buyers bid on the most premium and seasonal catches in the morning, prior to its preparations and delivery to our pubs, when it will appear on the menus and specials boards the following day.
From the market, the auctioned fish is transported on ice by our supplier Kingfisher Brixham, to their depot, just a few miles from the market.
Kingfisher was established in 1984 and has developed into a successful business with a passion for the fishing industry, supplying a vast range of best value and highest quality seafood. With the motto ‘your fish is our business‘ they share similar values and ethos to Red Mist, and source all their seafood locally where possible ensuring they always supply the freshest, highest quality fish whilst remaining environmentally responsible at all times, offering exceptional customer service and traceability of all their produce.
Following a tour of Kingfisher’s factory, where the fish is prepped by their skillful fishmongers, the chefs came away feeling inspired with new ideas for dishes and recipes to showcase what our incredible coastal waters can offer.