Tried & Tested - The Chamberlain's Fishmarket Experience

We’re not usually early risers but this one’s worth getting out of bed for. Chamberlain’s, the Leadenhall fish restaurant owned by Billingsage stalwart Chamberlain & Thelwell, has just launched a very novel teambuilding package and Venues & Events was first to try it out. Despite the ungodly hour, we absolutely loved it.
The day begins at 6am with suitably large coffees and proper bacon butties in the caff at Billingsgate, where head chef Matthew Marshall then takes the group on a tour of the market stalls, explaining what to look for – and avoid – when shopping for fresh seafood. You also get a glimpse into Chamberlain & Thelwell’s impressive back-of-house operation, where its skilled team fillets fish for all the top London hotels.
Armed with bags of carefully selected seafood (we plumped for a lively lobster, some super-fresh red mullet and a beautiful side of turbot), it’s then back to the restaurant for a glass of bucks fizz, a cooking demonstration and a three-course brunch based on the market purchases. The whole thing is over by 10am, but the novelty value and intensity of the experience makes you feel like you’ve had a whole day’s worth of teambuilding – we particularly enjoyed having a gourmet meal with wine at 9am!

Packages for groups of 3-5 start from £175+VATpp and can be booked on tel: 020 7648 8690, squaremeal.co.uk/chamberlains

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This article first appeared in Square Meal Venues & Events Summer 2010.