How to fillet a flat fish

1. Using the whole length of the knife cut through the skin and flesh to the back bone along the lateral (middle) of the fillet Photograph: Elisabeth Parsons/New Holland

2. Right handers should work to the left fillet first, and vice versa for left handers. Run the tip of the knife along the back bone to release the first part of the fille Photograph: Elisabeth Parsons/New Holland

3. Turn the knife away from you and, using a long stroking action, work the knife from left to right, releasing the fillet at the fins Photograph: Elisabeth Parsons/New Holland

4. Continue cutting to release the fillet. Turn the fish around so that the tail is pointing towards you and remove the second fillet in the same way Photograph: Elisabeth Parsons/New Holland