Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2012 | Page 133

FOOD

A seafood celebration
AT THE ROYAL

Ventnor – a seafaring town

A celebration of local Seafood is to be held
at the Royal Hotel, Ventnor from July 7 to
15.
Seafood and fresh fish are vital ingredients
at the Royal. Every day fishermen deliver
their catch to the hotel kitchen and it is
transformed by the team of talented chefs
into vibrant dishes bursting with flavour.
“We are so fortunate to have such
exceptional quality fresh fish, lobster and
crab just minutes away. This is a chef ’s
dream come true and that is why we want
to throw the spotlight on seafood. There
will be a special seafood tasting menu and
fish dishes on our Royal Set and lunch
menus that really celebrate this great
British ingredient,” said Executive Head
Chef Alan Staley
The chefs have been participating in
Masterchef style competitions to determine
which dishes are going to make it onto
the menu. Royal owner William Bailey
said: “It was a challenge and really got the
creative juices flowing. Each plate of food
was judged by discerning foodies and has
resulted in some fantastic new dishes to
try.”
One dish that certainly isn’t new but has

a cult following is Nicky Hayward’s crab
ramekin. The carefully guarded recipe
has been entrusted to Alan and will be
on menu for the week. The week-long
celebration culminates in a special four
course seafood supper on Saturday, July
14 with entertainment by the Dollymopps
singing traditional island folk music and
sea shanties. The seafood supper costs
£45 to book call 01983 852186 for more
information visit www.royalhoteliow.co.uk
The six course seafood tasting menu will
be served in the Appuldurcombe restaurant
and costs £65 and requires 48 hour
advance booking. Please check website
for menu details - some dishes may vary
slightly due to supply.

Ventnor was born out of the
sea. Originally it consisted of
only a few thatched fishermen’s
cottages flanked by spectacular
steep cliffs that cascaded down
to a scenic bay. It’s unique
and sheltered position made
it the ideal fishing village
and was lauded as the most
picturesque spot on the coast.
Ventnor was famed for its
bounty of crab and lobster, the
Crab and Lobster Inn held an
annual Crab Fair and reputedly
served up crustaceans to
King Charles I. Today Ventnor
is still celebrated for its
fresh seafood and has been
re-energised by the Ventnor
Haven development, helping
to preserve this unique and
centuries-old way of life.
Dollymopps
The Dollymopps, pictured left,
are a folk trio comprising of
Justin Smith, Virgil and Dorana
Philpott. Their repertoire
includes traditional English
folksongs from the collection
of nineteenth century islander
W.H.Long. Long set about
recording songs before they
were lost forever. A few of
these, such as Little Carpenter,
are truly unique to the Island.

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