Fresh produce
Plenty of European fruit is at its peak. Turkish cherries are performing well and apricots are top quality. Spanish plums are good, as are figs. Whitecurrants from Holland are in season for a short time, while English gooseberries are starting to come through. They are tart now, and only good for cooking; the sweeter dessert fruit arrives later. English elderflower is finishing but English samphire is about to start, while from France wild asparagus is available. Fresh peas and broad beans are also arriving, mainly from Italy.
Source:
Chefs Connection
020 7627 4809
www.chefs-connection.com
Fish
Norway has closed its fishing grounds for long-liners for three months as it has overfished in the first three months of 2004. So haddock will only be available from Iceland and Faroe. Top-quality North Sea plaice is expected from Denmark at a good price. Plaice is at its prime, with no roe and plenty of meat. We are also seeing supplies of Faroese lemons at good prices but they must be moved fast as they deteriorate quickly in summer.
Supplies of monkfish, striped bass, mackerel and Dovers are likely to tighten up, as they are caught at night and there is less time to fish for them in summer. Other prices should stay steady.
Source:
M&J Seafood
01296 588221
www.mjseafoods.com