1. How long have you been in the Market?
I have been in the Market for 34 years!
2. What’s something your customers may not know about you?
I love cars. Sometimes I wish I’d been a mechanic.
3. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen at the Market?
The strangest fish I’ve ever seen at the wholesale Market was a Moonfish; it was the size of a pallet!
Also, have you ever seen a gummy shark with its head still on? Those eyes….
4. Do you have a favourite Market memory?
My favourite Market memory is a funny one. And it’s from a while ago before our display cabinets were fully enclosed by glass.
A customer was leaning quite far over the display when one of my live crayfish moved and popped one of its antennae right into her face. Scared the hell out of her! We laughed and laughed (note; Peter is still laughing about this 😊).
5. What’s the most common thing customers ask you for?
Salmon.
6. What’s your best tip about salmon?
When salmon is sashimi-grade like ours, you don’t need to cook it. Sliced thin, it’s delicious raw. I’m not a fan of cooked salmon, but I love it raw.
7. What’s your favourite food hack or tip you can share?
Don’t over-flavour things. Taste what you’re buying because it’s fresh and the best quality – and will taste delicious.
8. What do you love cooking the most?
I love a nice steak and I love duck. When it comes to duck, I score the skin and salt it, before leaving it for a couple of hours to dry out. I then rub some hoisin sauce into the flesh and put on the BBQ skin side down, for the skin to get nice and crispy. Then I move it to a preheated oven for around 20 – 25 minutes. Beautiful.
9. What do you eat when you go out for dinner?
That depends! If we’re off to the pub then you can’t beat a Chicken Parma (chips and salad!), or a nice steak. When it comes to steak, I love a good Cape Grim Scotch fillet from Tasmania – medium rare!
10. What do you love most about being part of the Market?
The atmosphere. I love seeing families come through and watching the kids grow up. One minute they’re toddlers, the next they’re getting married!
On the flip side, my worst market memory is standing out on Riversdale Road, watching the front of the Market burn down, back in 1992. It took eight months to repair and for us to trade again.
