Food Heroes - Dean, Fresh Grimsby Fish Van Man
How come it says ‘Alan’s Fish’ then? Ah. OK. Alan suffered ill health badly enough to hand over ‘ownership’ of his round something like fifteen years ago. The memory of the changeover is hazy for me but this is all about the impression which Dean (below) has created in the subsequent years.
The words ‘fresh fish’ should often be taken with a pinch of salt. Especially if you rely on supermarket produce which, whether pre-packed or from their wet fish counter, is almost bound to be a sorry affair - visibly so compared to the produce which Dean offers. His trips to Grimsby Docks help us to cut out the middle to poor quality of big store ‘convenience’ shopping. There are all sorts of flimsy arguments which might defend buying fish while you walk down aisles which are playing a different tune to ‘Here Comes The Bride’. Perhaps you are even considering a jaunt to the dockside and going straight to the cod-face. The fact that Dean’s prices are likely to be just that teeny bit higher must come into the equation and see off a few prospective customers.
All those factors get swiped firmly aside if you enjoy cooking with superior quality ingredients and realise that time is precious and fuel prices are still punishing - even for short trips.
We are less than fifteen minutes from Grimsby’s fish docks but the clincher for most of us who visit Dean’s parked van on a Thursday morning is that we are able to discard the internal combustion engine and take a leisurely walk which always ends in flavour and satisfaction. Each customer is treated to more than the normal time allotted to retail transactions. That extra time is where we make further savings as Dean tailors your purchase to instruction as he skins, fillets and portions leaving little chance for waste. Of course, if you do want heads, bones and other off-cuts Dean will accommodate you.
A call earlier in the week - there’s his number on the van side - will see Dean source things even more out of the ordinary than his usual generous range. Ready to collect on the next visit.
It is then down to you to make the most of the lovely ingredients Dean provides. I can say in perfect honesty that we have never been disappointed by anything he has supplied. Thursday visits consistently add to the satisfaction and enjoyment of our cooking and eating.
Elsewhere the words may trip a little too easily from the tongue but Dean’s ‘fresh fish’ really does give all you want and expect from the phrase.
My ‘hero’ has been throwing open his (rear) doors to reveal layers of cold fishy treasure for almost two decades now. Talking of layers; Dean’s clothing peaks at around seven of them in winter months. So he stays almost as warm as the welcome he gives each customer.
There is a final element to my regular visits which needs declaring. Don’t they say ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’? It’s something like that. Too strong a description for the exchanges between Dean and me but we have developed a refined system of insult which is given especially free range before other customers arrive. Nothing offensive or damaging. I like to think of it as a kind of mating ritual which stops very far short of exchanging bodily fluids - but which still cements our relationship into something special.
It’s very likely you have a van and a (hu)man who provide similar services. I recommend investigating what they can do for you. I can’t guarantee they will be as heroic as my man. Dean gives us the best of two worlds - quality produce from a quality human being.
Ah. Hmmm. Did I say that Dean hails from Yorkshire?
I know. I know. But it’s those glaring imperfections which make our heroes all the more loveable, eh.
