delicious. 100 Best of the Best 2023: Stirling’s Angler to open sister Central Market stall Fair Seafood

It’s ranked as one of SA’s best spots for fish and chips in this year’s delicious. 100 – now this little fishy is going to market.

A new shop sourcing the catch directly from local fishers is set to shake up the seafood status quo at the Central Market.

Construction has started on Fair Seafood, with the stall slated to open in the market’s southeast corner by the beginning of December.

As well as fresh fillets and whole fish, it will be offering a dine-in menu including fish and chips, dry-aged sashimi, barbecued octopus and other ready-to-eat dishes.

With the uncertain origins and labelling of much of the seafood sold in Australia becoming increasingly contentious, Fair Seafood promises that everything from the stall, fresh or cooked, will be fully traceable, meaning customers can know where, when, by whom and how it was caught.

Francesca Romeo, co-founder Fair Seafood, with chef Sam Prance-Smith at the Central Market. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The new business will be a close sibling to Angler, a sustainable seafood restaurant at Stirling, that operates with a similar philosophy.

Angler has been chosen as one of the best five places in the state to buy fish and chips as part of the new-look delicious. 100 for 2023.

Sustainable fish and chips from Angler at Stirling. Picture: Supplied

This year’s list, to be revealed in full on Friday, is a Best of the Best collection of favourite eats and treats, made up of five winners in 20 categories including everything from laksa and pho, to burgers and pizzas, to pies and vanilla slices.

The co-founder of Fair Seafood, Amanda Prance, says the new market outlet will help both customers and fishers.

Angler co-founder Amanda Prance. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“As a consumer, I really want to know where my food comes from and how it has been handled, and seafood lags behind every other industry in this,” she says.

“And, on the other hand, I don’t like the lottery market that fishers have to deal with. We want to give them some stability. It’s hard enough to catch a fish without being sure what price you are going to receive when going to the market. And it is also the pride they have when seeing their fish credited in this way.”

Fresh seafood at Angler, Stirling. Picture: Meaghan Coles

Prance says affordability is very important to Fair Seafood and would be tackled in two ways – selling more whole fish, requiring less processing, and also offering lesser known varieties that are better value alongside the premium whiting, gar and other species.

She says most of the seafood will be sourced through the Fair Fish SA community co-operative.

See the five top choices in each category from 6am this Friday via delicious100.com.au and in SA Weekend in The Advertiser on Saturday. You will be able to have your say in our reader vote at delicious100.com.au.

Overall winners from the voting phase will be announced on November 4.

Originally published as delicious. 100 Best of the Best 2023: Stirling’s Angler to open sister Central Market stall Fair Seafood