Food lovers flock to Wirral fishmonger who fed The Queen

14th December 2011

From Wirral News

Food lovers have been flocking to the Wirral fishmonger who fed the Queen.

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed Royal Turbot during a banquet served at the Floral Pavilion Theatre during their visit to the borough earlier this month.

The aptly-named fish was supplied by Birkenhead-based Wards Fish then prepared and cooked by Wirral’s own Masterchef Claire Lara.

Around 90 guests, including local volunteers and ex-servicemen, joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for lunch.

Wards’ is a family business, which has been supplying fine fish since 1927.

It is run by the fourth generation of the family – Simon and Nigel Buckmaster, with help from their parents.

Simon said: “It was a fantastic honour and opportunity to supply such a Royal fish for such a Royal event and we hope they enjoyed their lunch.

“There is nothing as good as beautifully cooked fresh fish for a special lunch.”

Emily Ward, wife to a ship’s cook, set up the business in 1927 in Birkenhead. It moved to Birkenhead Market in 1976.

Wards’ supplies restaurants in Wirral and Liverpool, including the London Carriageworks, Lunya, the Hillbark Hotel and Venezia Pizzeria.

They have held the prestigious Seafish Quality award in recognition of its standards since 1987 and were named the first official retailer of Tartan Quality Mark Scottish Salmon in 1995.

Nigel said: “We are the fourth generation of the same family business.

“When Emily Ward set up the company in 1927, there were 800 specialist fishmongers in Merseyside.

“Now there are just six. We tend to supply independent restaurants – small businesses have to stick together – as well as our loyal customers.

“When Claire Lara offered us the opportunity to supply the Royal Turbot we were delighted.

“Apparently it’s one of the Queen’s favourites and it’s an honour that she chose us.

“Since then we’ve been inundated with people wanting to buy the Queen’s favourite fish.

‘‘The response has been fantastic.”

For more details on Ward's go to Wirral Food & Drink Guide & www.wardsfish.co.uk