Sibling rivalry gave way to celebrating seafood success for Grimsby as two town sisters basked in glory at The Quality Food and Drink Awards.
Toni Salmon and Louise Coulbeck had their family firms Alfred Enderby and JCS Fish pitched against each other in one of the prestigious categories, but both emerged victorious after a special 40th anniversary accolade went to the traditional smoker, after JCS’s BigFish Signature Smoked Sea Trout won through in the head-to-head.
Enderby’s traditionally smoked haddock took the Product that has Stood the Test of Time accolade as part of the milestone celebrations at The Brewery in London, with retailers, manufacturers and suppliers celebrating excellence. It later followed up with a second award for its salmon for Fish in Food Service.
Both agreed it was excellent recognition for the sector – with a push to recognise ‘Made Great in Grimsby’ as a quality mark made recently.
Toni, who joined husband Patrick in the Maclure Street smokehouse after he took over the business, becoming head of sales in a first dip into seafood, said: “I thought it was phenomenal that we were the only fish producers there, no-one else from Grimsby, and the fact we were sisters. Talk about ‘made great in Grimsby’ we were certainly made in Grimsby!
“It was difficult, we were up against each other, so it was competitive. We got the photograph together early, and before we knew it, we’d won the awards! Business-wise we’re not really in competition, they are a multi-million pound business, and we are doing what we do down on the docks too.”
She arrived at the business from Louth estate agency Masons, and a 3am dash to London to deliver the product for judging was part of a story that will have them smiling through the busiest time of year.
Of the special award, which really struck a chord, Toni said: “When I read the award introduction I was close to tears. ‘Stood the test of time’ is what we are all about. We have taken the smokehouse on as custodians, it is a really hard business, and it has been through two world wars, recessions, and it is still doing what it first did all those years ago. That was the award I wanted as it just meant so much.”
Just across the fish docks, and JCS is no stranger to success, all the more special after a £200,000 investment saw the mechanical kiln smoking brought in-house.
Louise said: “It could have been hard for one of us as sisters, but it turned out great for Grimsby. We have been in the fishing game for a long time, while for Toni and Patrick it is still quite new to them. They are getting their feet into it, understanding it well – and we’re both made great in Grimsby!
“We have always sold smoked, but always used to outsource it. With all the accreditations and requirements now we wanted to bring it in-house to keep control, we didn’t want any product leaving the site, so it is all under our remit. It is a great endorsement for what we’ve done. We have a good team, very local staff who have been with us a long time.”
The pair worked together "many moons ago" at Hobo, a Grimsby boutique headed up by a third sister - Della Draper, now part of her daughter's eponymous jewellery business.
