Tasty Tuesday: The Haward Family, Mersea Island

Well, I don’t mind telling you, I’m feeling pretty pleased about this weeks #tastytuesday. It’s a post that includes Romans, Oysters, 300 years of Family tradition, mindfulness and it’s all based right here in North Essex. What a scoop! Anyone that knows Mersea Island or has even been to Mersea on a day trip would have heard of The Company Shed, no trip to the Island is complete without a visit there. The Haward Family established it in the 1980’s and its reputation continues to this day. “Internationally renowned chefs Rick Stein and Jay Rayner have praised the restaurant and it has been recognised in the Times, the Guardian and Independent as being one of the best fish restaurants to experience”. They also sell their Oysters at Borough Market so any bivalve lovers that cant make it to North Essex can find their famous oysters there.

I was thrilled that Tom Haward from the Haward family agreed to answer my questions and I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed hearing about the achievements of his amazing relations! Thank you Tom!

Tom Haward

* Who are you, what is your role within your Company?

I’m Tom Haward and I manage my Dad’s business (Richard Haward’s Oysters) for him. My family have been cultivating oysters on Mersea Island since the 1700s so that makes my Dad, Richard, 7th generation oysterman and me and my brother, Bram, 8th generation oystermen.

* Why North Essex?

My family have been in North Essex since at least the 1700s. We have a pocket book from 1768 showing records of my 6th Great Grandfather, William Haward, selling oysters into London. The North Essex coast is ingrained into our DNA. We live on Mersea Island and have been fortunate enough to not only live in a place of beauty (it’s hard to find anywhere as tranquil as sitting on a boat in the creeks off Mersea) but earn a living from a delicious food that is also integral to health of the local ecosystem.

* What / Who was the inspiration for starting your company?

The Romans landed on Mersea’s shores 2000 years ago and started sending oysters back to Italy so I guess it’s the Romans who inspired my family to start growing oysters 300 years ago! When my Dad was at university his Dad died so instead of Dad moving away from the family business he went back to Mersea to carry on doing what his Dad did.

* What is your favourite product that you sell and why?

The Colchester Native oyster is our favourite product. The Native oyster made Mersea famous and for good reason. It’s a delicate and very delicious thing. It takes care, patience and knowledge to produce a Native oyster and the end product is something to be very proud of. In a world of instants where we want everything now, the Native oysters swims against such mentality. I love that because it has taught me to remember something wonderful takes time and that’s okay.

* Do you have a Local Food Hero? If so, who?

It would have to be my Dad. He has been an ambassador for preserving and sustaining oyster stocks for more than 50 years. He has spent his life building businesses to improve the local community and industries. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that without my dad the local fishing and oyster industries wouldn’t be the success they are today. Definite hero to me.

* Who would your 5 dream Dinner Party guests be (dead or alive)

Freddie Mercury because he was an absolute legend, funny as hell and he would be perfect entertainment. Aaron Sorkin who wrote The West Wing. His personal story is fascinating and I would love to pick his brains about how he writes with such elegance. Barack Obama’s eloquence and intellect would add real depth to a dinner party. Robin Williams for his humour and just because I empathise with his battles. Natalie Portman is a fantastic actress and I bet a great conversationalist.

* Regarding Environmental Concerns how have you / do you plan to reduce your packaging / waste?

We like to think we have been a bit ahead of the game in regards to how we package things for a few years now. We send our oysters in thin wooden boxes which don’t have the impact plastic does. And through the cultivation of oysters we are working with nature to consistently manage and improve the local ecosystem. Oysters are an integral part to cleanliness of our waters so what we do is a vital work for the environment.

* What’s your ‘Food Guilty Pleasure’?

Sweets. I’m a bit like a sugar crazed toddler. Usually at 2am I will wake up with a sweet craving so have to munch on some fizzy sweets before going back to sleep happy. I think I have a problem.

* Moving forwards, what are your plans for the future of your business?

We have a lot of plans for the future in regards to growing the business. Dad has always said that business needs to be always evolving and Mum grew her restaurants (The Company Shed and Mehalah’s) through a very simple ethos, ‘keep it simple,’ so, for me, I keep those mantras close to hand. We see a growing demand overseas for oysters so will be selling lots more abroad, which is exciting. We also have plans to build and expand our operations so we can sell more oysters and, in turn, employ more local people so that we can continue to grow this amazing legacy my family created. So no pressure really!

Wasn’t that brilliant?! And what a great dinner party that would be! If you want to keep up to date with anything please check out their websites below:

The North Essex Larder

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🍓A hub to promote the many wonderful Indie Food/Drink Producers & Eateries in North Essex.

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