Enjoy a Sensation Festive-Season Feast!
While celebrations on the other side of the world include slaving over a hot stove on Christmas day, Australians have adopted a more summer-appropriate tradition of indulging in a delicious seafood feast. Due to this tradition, the holiday season has become the busiest time for those working in the seafood industry, so we thought we’d catch up with Robert Gauta of Newcastle and Swansea’s Commercial Fishermans Cooperative now, while we still can!
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without seafood – why do you think Australia has adopted seafood as an Aussie Christmas staple?
Seafood in Australia is of the highest quality and best when compared to anywhere in the world. It has been a staple for some time due to our love of the Ocean, the beach and everything coastal. But I also think it’s because no one feels like cooking too much on a hot day and our Christmas Days are often record-breakers.
Would it be fair to say that Christmas is the busiest period at the co-operative?
Christmas has traditionally been the busiest time of the year. It’s a celebration for a lot of families and can be the only time they have seafood on their tables for a very special occasion.
The most popular product at Christmas is prawns. We will go through around 7 to 8 tonnes of prawns during Christmas week, with deliveries coming in daily. Oysters are also very popular with approximately 4,500 to 5,500 dozen sold for the week.
Christmas orders can be placed up until 21 December, by phoning 4965 4221. There is a minimum order of $200, and a $100 deposit will be required to confirm your order (all stock subject to availability). Make sure you visit our Facebook page for all our Christmas/New Year opening hours.
While prawns have proven themselves a clear favourite, Christmas in Australia also includes various other seafood products. In recent years, the demand for various products has skyrocketed. What are the top 5 best-sellers?
Prawns are the favourite, with a variety to be available. We will have farmed Tiger Prawns, Queensland King Prawns, and depending on mother nature, there may be some local School Prawns and Local King Prawns, with some luck. Other favourites are Lobsters, the ever-popular Tasmanian Salmon, Snapper, Blue Swimmer Crabs, Balmain Bugs and many species of fillets.
What other foods do you think pair best with our seafood feast?
Fresh is best, and fresh Seafood is complemented by the wide variety of fresh Australian produce. Prawns team beautifully with fresh mango. Fresh baked bread and summer salads are also a must. Why not top it off with some superb Hunter Valley Wines?
Do you have any other advice for us to ensure our Christmas Seafood Feats is a hit?
Don’t forget, everything that will be available hasn’t been harvested yet. We will be working through the night all through Christmas week to get the freshest produce available to our customers for their Christmas lunches and dinners. Demand has increased during COVID, and we have ordered to the best of our forecasting ability. To avoid disappointment, don’t leave it too late.
Visit www.fishcoop.com.au or visit their Facebook page here.
