Mitch Tonks (Fishworks)
Of all the cooks I’ve written about in this series, Mitch Tonks is the only one that I can claim to have personally insulted.
We ate in one of his restaurants two or three years back when they were running a Good Food evening (which was great value 6 or 7 courses and as much as you could drink). I made some quip about there being no seats (it was busy & there was a lot to drink) which embarrassed Mitch and lead to us being ushered to the back of the restaurant where there was a table out of harms ways. I sure it didn’t even register, but sorry Mitch.
I’ve eaten in his Bristol restaurant a couple of times and used the Fish Works fish shops both in Bristol and Bath on a number of occasions. I actually had my only case of seafood poisoning from a batch of mussels from the shop in Bath…but don’t let me put you off - I blame myself for not checking them thoroughly enough (or perhaps it was revenge for the restaurant episode).
Anyway, having set the scene so eloquently through embarrassment and food poisoning (!) I must admit that I really like Mitch’s food and recipes. Great produce, simply cooked. In the world of fish Rick Stein is the king of the kitchen, with his seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of classical cookery, farflung travels and giddy passion and Mitch is perhaps the Prince-in-waiting with a more modern, simpler, lighter touch!
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