Mike Warner

Seafood and Fisheries Consultant Food Writer

Seafood Ambassador

Artisan Retail & Wholesale Fishmonger

Having spent a lifetime in British food production, (in both agriculture and fisheries, practically and consulting), Mike’s knowledge of these areas of food production, and especially seafood, has earned him a huge amount of respect around the industry and its communities.

A contributing member of the Guild of Food Writers, Mike has spent the last ten years embedded in the UK fishing and seafood sectors, working directly with fishermen, processors and suppliers, researching good practice and delivering accurate information to consumers and the hospitality sector, to educate, inform and enthuse end users, when it comes to sourcing seasonal British fish and shellfish and providing the tools to assist in better-informed decision making, when making purchases.

Mike has worked extensively with many celebrity chefs, including: Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, CJ Jackson, Ed Baines, the Rick Stein Group, Mitch Tonks and Jamie Oliver and has written articles on UK seafood for several mainstream publications, including a series of features for Country Life magazine. He has also advised government on seafood promotion, including ambassadorial work for Seafish and the Welsh Government and chaired the Welsh Seafood Steering Group. Mike also ran a two year EU-funded project for the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, promoting British shellfish for businesses and consumers alike.

More recently, Mike set up ‘A Passion for Seafood Ltd’ in response to supply chain issues during the Covid-19 pandemic, which works closely with fishermen around the UK purchasing fish direct from boats and supplying chefs and consumers in Suffolk, where he is based at his exclusively British fishmongers near Woodbridge.

In 2022, he established the ‘Seafood Stage’ at the renowned Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, which was a tremendous success, once again connecting consumers to seasonal British seafood, via his own unique brand of ‘Seafood with Storytelling,’ engaging local and celebrity chefs to work with the freshest fish and shellfish in demonstrations and masterclasses.

Working at sea with fishermen all around the UK, to closely observe the industry from the 'coal face,’ has gained him much trust and respect and has meant that accuracy of information regarding fish stocks, fishing practice, sustainability, seasonality and traceability is always at the forefront of his message.

Mike’s knowledge of UK seafood and fisheries has been described as ‘encyclopaedic’ and as an experienced speaker and demonstrator, he has often been called on to attend seafood events, festivals and conferences, where his input is required and advising the main stream media on issues concerning seafood production.

Mike lives in coastal Suffolk, close to where he grew up, and from where his ‘Passion for Seafood’ was ignited and nurtured from a very early age.