Bite into an ‘Under the Sea’ dining experience

Journey ‘Under the Sea’ at an immersive dining experience created by chef Caspian Armani of Brighton’s Isaac At restaurant at the city’s Sealife aquarium this summer.

June 30 2022 Sea Life Brighton, East Sussex, UK. Caspian Armani, chef from Isaac@, keeping up to date on sustainable fishing practices with help from the residents at Sea Life Brighton. The team from Isaac@ will be presenting a Bite Sussex pop up supper there on 24th August 2022. photo ©Julia Claxton

As part of the August bank holiday BITE Sussex food and drink festival, Isaac At’s head chef Caspian Armani will be serving up a five course experiential menu packed with locally sourced produce including a variety of sustainably caught seafood from Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales in Portslade Basin.

For one night only on Wednesday 24 August, guests will journey through the aquarium – from the Victorian Arcade to Rainforest Adventure via the ocean tank’s underwater tunnel – whilst enjoying dishes including: Oysters with sea herbs and coal oil, crispy plaice with foamy peas, smoked mackerel and Nutbourne tomato salad ‘tropical surprise’, crab brioche rolls with crispy chicken skin and Sussex apple sorbet with sparkling custard and crumble.

The event fits perfectly with the ethos of Isaac At where the team work with Sussex producers to ensure their menus are hyperlocal, using the best ingredients from small farms and foragers. “We work intuitively with the seasons and in harmony with the local environment”, said chef Caspian. “That requires a great deal of engagement and responsibility to preserve the sustainability of the complex ecosystem we have so boldly built our business around”.

The headline sponsor of the event is Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales (BNFS), based in Portslade basin. “This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase a variety of the in-season local species we have on the Sussex coast”, said Kier Foster of BNFS. “Consumers and restaurants can be confident that local companies like us are fishing in a responsible and sustainable way, providing the highest quality fish and seafood”.

Each course will be matched with wine, beer and spirits from some of Sussex’s most iconic makers including Brighton Gin, MDTEA, Wiston Estate, Stopham Estate, Bolney Wine Estate, Brighton Bier, Arrowtown Drinks, Dedbest Distillery, Boho Gelato, Wobblegate and Slake Spirits with top Brighton bartenders from Gung-ho! and The Plotting Parlour shaking up themed cocktails.

Chef Caspian reveals how the event was instigated: “I enjoyed my first visit the Sealife Brighton in the early Spring. I shared some photos online that Nick Mosley from BITE Sussex saw. He picked up the phone and asked if I might like to do something fun there”.

“From that point, plans fell into place with the help of the brilliant Sealife team. Doing an event at the aquarium is an absolute dream come true for me. I am so unbelievably honoured and humbled to be part of the amazing network of hospitality and tourism businesses in the local area that have made this event possible”.

Over the bank holiday weekend, BITE Sussex are hosting numerous events including a Cocktail and Canapés Party at the Brighton Toy Museum, a Yard Takeover at Brighton Bier Brewery, a Sustainable Sussex night with Slake Spirits in Worthing and the Brighton Cocktail Weekender at partner bars across the city. Many BITE partners will also be throwing open their doors for tours and masterclasses.

“One-off events such as this are very much at the heart of what we do at BITE Sussex”, said festival director Nick Mosley. “We bring together local food, drink and hospitality businesses to create inventive and exciting collaborations that push the boundaries of dining. It’s an unforgettable and fun experience not just for our guests but also for all the professionals involved. In addition to our core aims of promoting and celebrating local and sustainable produce, raising money for the valuable work of the Sealife Trust is an added bonus”.

Limited tickets are priced at £57.50 including five courses and matched drinks. Available online at www.isaac-at.com from Monday 11 July 2022.