Mr Good's Fabulous Fish - Georgina Campbell's New Product Review supported by BIM

Little did the people of Carrigaline know what a business dynamo they had in their midst when local fishmonger Denis Good opened a small fish shop here in the mid 1980s. Far from being a flash in the pan, it’s still there today - but it’s now just one of The Good Fish Company’s six shops in the Cork area and part of a company that supplies Tesco stores nationwide and employs over 60 staff in fish processing and retailing.

It’s a far cry from the days when Denis drove off on his own every morning to buy fresh fish from the daily auctions at ports like Castletownbere and Union Hall. As the business began to grow, he moved into supplying fresh fish to hotels and restaurants and then began to supply supermarkets - and, seeing the growing customer demand for convenient, fresh, healthy fish, it was only a matter of time before he worked out an innovative way of meeting that need.

Enter Mr Good’s Fabulous Fish range: Amazin’ Cajun Spiced Salmon; Glorious Garlic & Herb Cod; and Heavenly Zesty Lemon Hake - the upbeat names and cheery, informative packs reflect Denis Good’s passion for fresh fish, and his desire ‘to deliver the best quality, freshest fish to people the easiest way possible’.

In this case that means fresh fish fillet portions in marinade, packed in ready-to-cook pouches suitable for the oven, microwave or the hob - and, like all good ideas, it looks dead simple.

But it actually took over 18 months to develop the range. Deciding which fish to feature was the easy part, as salmon, cod and hake are currently the most popular species with consumers.

Getting the three complementary marinades right was relatively straightforward too, following extensive taste testing in their product development department. BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty was also on hand to assist with the development process.

The really tricky thing was developing a multiple format cooking pouch: “We spent over a year developing this packaging solution to deliver the best possible cooking results in each of the three methods, oven cook, microwave and cook on hob,” explains The Good Fish Company’s Sales Manager Pat O’Farrell, who also had some advice for others thinking of developing a seafood product.

“As well as developing the initial innovation, you need to put a structured plan in place on how to deliver on your expectations,” he advises. “The key is to bring together key team members who are as passionate about your product as you are, and allow them the creative scope to bring your initial concept further into new areas, although sometimes it can be hard to let go!”

I tried out the new products and liked them very much (see Summary below). Uniquely, they offer solid sections of fish fillet as opposed to the small pieces of fish that are so widely used in chowders and seafood pies - not surprising, perhaps, as Denis Good’s own favourite fish is simple: “Pan fried Irish hake or haddock cannot be beaten!”
And are there any more new products in the pipeline? ”Yes, we are working on an exciting follow on range of products but they all top secret for now!” So, watch this space!

SUMMARY:

Good Fish are one of Ireland’s largest white fish processors, and operate from a purpose built facility with BRC Grade A certification, located near some of the best fishing ports in Ireland, such as Castletownbere, Union Hall, Kinsale and Crosshaven.

Mr Good’s Fabulous Fish is an innovative range of convenience products offering fresh fish fillet portions in marinade, packed in ready-to-cook pouches suitable for the oven, microwave or the hob

There are three products in the range:

· Amazin’ Cajun Spiced Salmon
· Glorious Garlic & Herb Cod
· Heavenly Zesty Lemon Hake

“It’s great to find convenience products containing portions of firm, fresh fish fillets, each in its individual sauce. Attractively and informatively packaged, each variety is clearly visible in its sealed cooking pouch, and the cooking - oven, microwave or hob - is quick and easy. The tasty saucing works well with each variety and any accompaniments you’d be likely to serve with it - and the freshness and quality of the fish really stands out.”
Georgina Campbell

All three products are available in Tesco stores nationwide and retail at €4.99 per pack of two portions.

Supported by BIM