European project seeks to create new markets and add value to cephalopods

The INTERREG project “Cephs and Chefs”, funded by European funds, aims to create new markets and add value to cephalopods (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) as well as to evaluate these resources in different regions of the “Atlantic Area” Portugal, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland) and to support transnational cooperation between these regions. The University of Aveiro (UA) is one of the partners. The project launch meeting took place last December 2017 in Galway, Ireland.

Link (portuguese): https://uaonline.ua.pt/pub/detail.asp?c=54376

We start preparing to record videos of Cephs & Chefs

In this month of May the preparation of the recording of the videos of the CEPHS & CHEFS project framed in the work package 6 on Market Opportunities began, in which a task is developed on Chef’s marketing directed to the cooks of the north of Europe .

This task aims to develop a series of training materials in preparation and cooking of cephalopods for beginner chefs in the use of the target species of the project: octopus, squid and cuttlefish.

It has been decided to make videos about the preparation (cleaning and cutting) of each type of product, and others of traditional cooking in Spain / Portugal for each of the species. Afterwards videos of new recipes or innovative recipes will be recorded.

The preparation videos will be recorded in the Plaza de Bueu, with a large quantity and quality of cephalopods. For this purpose, the plaza, the surroundings and the fishmonger who will be part of the recording equipment have been contacted.

After the definition of the places of recording, the plans of execution and the elaboration of the first scripts, in June the images will be taken for the first videos about cleaning and cutting octopus, squid and choco.

The CEPHS & CHEFS project is funded by the European aid call “Atlantic Area (2017-2020)”, and aims to transfer knowledge related to fishing and consumption of cephalopods from southern countries of the Atlantic area with great gastronomic tradition of cephalopods such as Spain and Portugal, to the countries of the north of the area, where these species are barely consumed but they are captured, such as France, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Cephalopod cookery demonstration. Bay Coast Wild Atlantic Way Food Festival

Sadie Davoren, Ronnie Counihan, Anne O Leary, Sally McKenna and John McKenna

A cephalopod cookery demonstration was presented by Sadie Davoren and Anne O’Leary on Thursday, 12th April 2018, as part of the Bay Coast Wild Atlantic Way Food Festival. The demonstration was hosted by Ronnie Counihan in the Renvyle House Hotel, in conjunction with Galway’s celebration as European Region of Gastronomy 2018. Elaine Donohue the Programme Co-ordinator for the Galway-West of Ireland designation highlighted how the demonstration reflected two of the themes of the bid book namely Education/ Health and Sustainability and Feeding of the Planet. The European Region of Gastronomy Platform works closely with education and knowledge institutions in the host regions and elsewhere to disseminate information about the importance of regional gastronomy in education. Similarly, the Platform aims to support smart strategies for sustainable and ethical tourism, as well as food and gastronomy practices with the aim to develop more environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable food production and consumption.

A selection of octopus and squid dishes were cooked and served.
The central theme of the day was to introduce the audience to preparation and cooking of the fish. Emphasis was placed on the correct cooking method and times for each fish.
John and Sally Mc Kenna of Mc Kenna Guide https://www.guides.ie/who were in attendance and commended all aspects of the demonstration on social media. Both food writers supported the research proposed saying that “it was five years ahead of its time”, “We all need to eat Cephalopods”. John also endorsed our work at the after-dinner speech that night and spoke highly of G.M.I.T.s involvement with research and children’s education.

Octopus Carpaccio with dehydrated lemon Citrus Salad and Watercress Gel.

Octopus Terrine with Pickled Dillisk and Cucumber, Squid Ink crisp.

Seafood sharing plate: Pretzel coated squid, Pan-fried squid, Chilli Dressing, Lemon gel and Tzatziki dressing.

Crispy Calamari with pickled vegetables and Tzatziki dressing

Squid tagliatelle and Asian Broth

Fishermen catch a gigantic squid in the Philippines over two meters long

A group of fishermen managed to catch a large cephalopod on a Philippine island. To move it, the strength of several people was needed. This is the third time that an animal with these characteristics has been caught.

Link (spanish): https://www.diarioregistrado.com/virales/capturan-un-gigantesco-calamar-en-filipinas-de-mas-de-dos-metros-de-largo_a5ace47b007163f45d16f83a8