Cardiff fishmongers have come out top by winning a number of awards at the fish championships this weekend.
Mike Crates, from Ashton's, became the Welsh Oyster Opening Champion, after opening 30 oysters in the fastest time with perfection at the event held in Cardiff Bay yesterday.
The previous day, the veteran competitor came second for the 19th time in 38 years of competing at the Young's British Fish Craft Championships 2010. First prize went to Nicky Woods, 40, also from Ashton's, and Kevin Todd from Ashton's came third.
"I'm elated, totally elated," said Woods. "I have entered the competition a dozen times before, but have never won the big one, and it's fantastic feeling."
The three-day fish festival took place this August Bank Holiday weekend in Cardiff Bay, and attracted a huge crowd. Fishmongers from all over the UK gave demonstrations on how to fillet salmon, canoe fillet a sea bass ready for stuffing, dress crab and prepare scallops.
Crates said:
"It's great to win the Welsh Oyster Opening Championship, so I'll be taking some silverware home with me afterall.
"The audience was great, and competing in front of the home crowd was a fantastic buzz."
Mike had to open 30 native oysters in as fast a time as possible, and points were awarded - or lost - if presentation was poor, or if segments of shell remained on the presentation board.
Mike, 54, will now go on to compete at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway later this month, facing competitors from the four corners of the globe.
