The Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival is set to take place over the weekend of 11th and 12th September 2021, at the Weymouth Peninsular. The award-winning event is more than just a food festival, the Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival is an event with a conscience, promoting responsibly sourced seafood, raising funds for The Fishermen’s Mission, and helping to raise awareness of ocean health.
Festival organisers have been working tirelessly to bring together a fun packed weekend including some of the top names in seafood producers, chefs, fishermen from the South West and across the country, as well as brand new features! The Festival’s ethos is to gain a better understanding of the coast, the issues of sustainable fishing, and the environmental impact of fishing. New feature ‘BLUE Seas’ will work to raise awareness of these matters in a fun and informative way. A free children’s cookery workshop ‘School of Fish’ is also available for the first time this year. Visitors will be entertained with demonstrations and tastings over two cookery theatres.
Stuart Cooper; Dorset Seafood Festivals Ltd Director, commented: “The whole team has been working so hard to ensure this Festival delivers what attendees are used to – a great atmosphere, delicious seafood, interesting chef demos, fun for the kids and of course a glass or two of Nyetimber. With the spotlight often on our beautiful coast, it is hard to always understand how we can eat seafood sustainably, but our new BLUE Seas feature is something we are all proud of. Menus are beginning to roll in from the food stalls, crab linguini, BBQ lobsters, pearl oysters, mussels, fishcakes, squid and much more will be on offer.”
Key highlights for 2021 include:
Nyetimber — Ensuring the perfect pairings with the local seafood, Nyetimber is on hand to provide the finest glass of English sparkling wine. Why not enjoy a glass onboard The Nyetimber? A beautifully reimagined 1968 Routemaster bus which offers a luxurious, quintessentially British setting from which guests can relax and admire both the harbour and the award-winning beach. Available wines: NYETIMBER CLASSIC CUVEE MV – glass, 75cl bottle & magnum; NYETIMBER CUVEE CHÉRIE MV – glass & 75cl bottle; NYETIMBER 2014 BLANC DE BLANCS – glass & 75cl bottle; NYETIMBER 2013 TILLINGTON SINGLE VINEYARD – 75cl bottle ; NYETIMBER 2010 1086 PRESTIGE CUVEE – 75cl bottle.
The BLUE Seas marquee — A brand new feature for 2021 is; ‘BLUE Seas’. With the spotlight often on our beautiful coast, it is hard to always understand how we can eat seafood sustainably. Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) is a global marine conservation charity working to promote marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries. BLUE will be hosting a series of speakers, videos and Q&A sessions throughout the weekend in the BLUE Seas marquee. Be sure to catch Mandy from Lyme Bay Reserve, her enthusiasm and passion for the subject floods out – learn and enjoy!
School of Fish – FREE Kids Cookery Workshop — ‘School of Fish’ pop-up cookery workshops for children brought to the Festival by The Food Teachers Centre and supported by the Fishmongers’ Company and their Fisheries Charitable Trust. The ‘School of Fish’ is available to pre-book for children attending the Festival with their parents – booking details can be found below. Depending on age, participants will learn how to prepare anything from mackerel pate to Megrim curry with flatbread – dishes to be confirmed.
The Fish Mish Zone – Over the years the Seafood Festival raised over £80k for the Fishermen’s Mission and is a cause close to the Festival’s heart. Head to the Fish Mish Zone and meet some of the Fishermen’s Mission Welfare officers, and perhaps try your hand at net making! Join the team at the Bay Stage for a talk about the charity and hear about the incredible work that they do.
The Harbour Stage – is being hosted by curing & smoking expert, author and presenter Steven Lamb, who joined River Cottage some 20 years ago and has become an integral part of the famous cookery school. Joining Steven on stage; Nigel Bloxham chef proprietor of the award-winning Crab House Cafe and Billy Winters, Mike Naidoo of Weymouth’s brand new Catch at the old Fishmarket, John Wright, naturalist and author of all things foraged, Ian Salmon head chef of Rick Stein – Sandbanks, we have a double act from Rockfish, Kirk Gosden (group chef director) and Weymouth head chef Marcin. Not to be missed is the amazing fish filleting display and Fish auction by Festival favourite Duncan Lucas! To wash this all down there will be two tasting sessions each day with Nyetimber and Susy Atkins, make sure to get your seat and enjoy a taste of the delicious sparkling wines.
The Bay Stage – Compered by Gus Caslake, featuring Caroline Drever of Dorset Shellfish, Matt Budden Executive Chef Hilton Bournemouth, Duncan Lucas, Nigel Bloxham, Hall & Woodhouse Beer and Cheese tasting sessions with Mark Woodhouse. Finally, James Burger will joining us from High Corner Inn, The New Forest
Music — Live music has been greatly missed over the past 18 months. The Festival is delighted to have a programme of local live acoustic sounds. Finnian is a Dorset singer who will entertain with a mix of sea shanty and folk music; Dorset Wrecks, the much-loved vocal group, will be singing sea shanties to entertain! Sit back and relax with a glass of chilled Nyetimber and enjoy the beautiful voice of Carley Varley singing cover songs. These and other great, local acts will be looking forward to keeping you entertained.
Lobster — For 2021 the Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival is highlighting ‘Lobster’. The native lobster (from the UK) is in season from June to September and is caught off the coast of the UK. Lobster has a strong, sweet taste and is a fascinating creature with weird and wonderful facts. Historically, lobster has been caught across the Southern IFCA district; in the Solent, around the Isle of Wight and along the coast of Dorset. The fishery is most prominent in the west throughout Dorset due to the presence of large areas of rocky habitats. Weymouth port supports the largest lobster and crab fishery in Dorset (Southern IFCA 2021).
The Fish Auction – A Festival favourite for everyone. Towards the end of both days, is the fabulous fish auction, you’ll be well looked after by Gus Caslake on Saturday and Duncan Lucas on Sunday, take home some delicious local catches and know that your donation will go directly to those who need support. All monies raised go towards the Fishermen’s Mission. Commercial fishing is one of the UK’s most dangerous occupations. At sea, fishermen and women face death and injury, with an average of 15 fishermen killed or seriously injured every year. The Fishermen’s Mission is a lifeline for many and plays a vital role in fighting povertyand despair in our fishing communities.
Sponsors this year include: Nyetimber, Badger Beers, Weird Fish, Dream Cottages, Food & Travel magazine. Official seafood supplier for the stages; Weyfish
With live music, fabulous street food, Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine and panoramic views of Weymouth’s glorious bay & the Jurassic Coast, the Festival is one of the most celebrated weekends in Weymouth’s event calendar.
To ensure the safety of festival-goers, entry to the Festival will be by ticket only. Tickets are limited and cost £10 for adults – Children are free of charge; secure your place at this summer’s seafood extravaganza at www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/book/. A limited number of tickets will be available on the gate. Once you have booked your tickets, book your child’s place on the ‘School of Fish’ cookery workshop here: www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/school/
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