To celebrate World Oceans Day on 8 June and marking its 15th anniversary, the Marine Stewardship Council announced a new series of awards for supporting certified sustainable seafood. The awards recognise the leadership position taken by UK chefs and businesses that are helping to transform the world’s oceans to a sustainable basis.
Sustainable seafood sourcing has become a watchword for retailers, chefs and caterers over the past few years, with celebrity campaigns and retailer commitments driving huge public awareness of the issues of overfishing.
Toby Middleton, Senior UK Country Manager for the MSC said: “These winners have set a high bar for the first annual MSC awards. Each of them has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to MSC certified sustainable seafood, investing time and energy in sourcing sustainably. By offering their customers and clients MSC certified seafood, they are helping to transform fishing practices around the world. To date, MSC certified fisheries around the world have made over 400 improvements. Those changes would not be possible without strong and visible support from supermarkets, chefs and seafood brands.”
THE AWARD WINNERS FOR 2014
MSC Chef of the Year 2014
Winner: Raymond Blanc OBE
Few chefs have done more to highlight the cause of sustainable seafood over the past 20 years and Raymond Blanc’s recent ‘Inspector Raymond Investigates’ animations brought the issue to thousands of university students, chip shop customers and fellow restaurateurs.
Category criteria: Award for the chef who has done the most to promote and celebrate MSC certified seafood in the past year
Best MSC Restaurant Menu 2014
Winner: Wahaca
With the first fully MSC-certified menu in the UK, Wahaca’s commitment to certified sustainable seafood put them ahead of the competition in this category for independent restaurants.
Category criteria: Restaurant demonstrating biggest commitment to MSC certified seafood
MSC Fish Retailer of the Year 2014
Winner: Sainsbury’s
Best MSC Certified Fish Counter 2014
Winner: Waitrose
Top MSC Frozen Fish Brand 2014
Winner: Birds Eye
Top MSC Canned Fish Brand 2014
Winner: Princes
MSC High Street Convenience Retailer of the Year 2014
Winner: Marks & Spencer
MSC University of the Year 2014
Winner: University of Greenwich
MSC Fish Supplier of the Year 2014
Winner: Brakes
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