Eddie Gilberts, Fishmongers, Restaurant & Delicatessen
A local fisherman has teamed up with a fish wholesaler to bring a new fish business to Ramsgate town centre. Eddie Gilberts’ fishmongers will open at 32 King Street Ramsgate September 21 with a delicatessen and fish restaurant planned for 2008.

Local shoppers may have noticed the formerly dilapidated three-storey building being lovingly restored by proprietor Jonny Dunhill during the last 10 months. Now the mystery is about to be solved as Jonny and his six strong team Jason Crome, Simon Farrell, John Gosman, Micky Bowley and Sue Watson prepare to open the doors.

Eddie Gilberts will concentrate on selling local fish with a special additional service as Jonny explains: “As well as all the favourites we will also have sea water tanks located in the basement of the shop which offers a unique opportunity to buy live crabs and lobster. It also ensures that other shell fish like oysters and clams can be sold directly from the holding tanks to guarantee freshness.” A wider range of more exotic fish will of course be sold. Oysters from Whitstable, Ireland and France will be permanently stocked.

Jonny Dunhill is no stranger to the wholesale side of the fish business having supplied some of the top restaurants and hotels in and around London and the South East for 12 years. His past clientele included Selfridges, Harrods, Le Gavroche, the Ivy and many other top chefs many of whom are now celebrities.
 

This is the first time he has tried his hand at opening a wet fish shop and training his staff has been a top priority. The whole team is just back from an intensive course in Boulogne where they were put through their paces on every aspect of running a fishmonger's. “Boulogne is the biggest fishing port in France and the team made sure we knew everything from assessing quality to filleting skills, fish buying, preparation and selling,” said Jonny. “We even had a day with a Michelin starred chef who taught the basics of fish cookery.” What an experience!

His love of fish stems from memories of regular family holidays to Westgate as a child and he made his home here six years ago. “ It’s great to be associated with the harbour and local fishermen it has completed the experience of living by the seaside for me. I’m passionate about good quality food and it’s great to see the business opening at last.” He hopes people will enjoy visiting the shop, which he has named after his own children. “I’ve restored the building to as near to the original as possible and to add a little local interest we have included two panels of tiles which depict old views of the harbour. I’m glad we have been able to bring an old building back into use.”

     

Our fishmongers is open to the public Monday through Saturday 9 until 6.

OPENING SOON is our Restaurant and Delicatessen upstairs. Choose your fresh catch in the shop and ask our top chef to prepare it for you in our atmospheric restaurant.

Contact us: jonny@eddiegilberts.com
Eddie Gilberts, 32 King Street, Ramsgate, Kent. CT11 8NT