Prime Seafood
There is a real gem at the Pike and Bethesda Central Farm Markets. Jim Chambers, the owner of Prime Seafood, brings his extensive knowledge, experience and extraordinary product to our markets every week. Just talking to him will change your perspective about fish (in the water or on your plate). Jim is so well-educated and experienced, I guarantee you walk away from your chat with a new-found sense of appreciation for the fish, the health benefits, the need for better conservation practices and even cooking tips for preparation in your own kitchen.Jim Chambers grew up fishing in Florida with his grandfather. Knowing this was the life for him, he graduated from college with a degree in Marine Science and continued to earn a graduate degree in Biology. After spending 3 years on active duty in the military, Jim continued working with the Army Corps of Engineers in various environmental roles. He was involved in building water control structures, preparing environmental assessments of plans, and general environmental protection - standing up for natural resources.
Soon Jim was hired by the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) to work on policies regarding coastal and marine fish. He was in charge of protecting habitats and used legislature to stand up for the environment. He even helped fight to stop an oil refinery from being built that would have affected the James River, potentially wiping out a whole species of crabs!In 2000, Jim retired from NMFS and went to work for the National Audubon Society for a year. It was after this, while working at in the fishery department at Galleons, that he first got the idea to “start a business as a fish broker.” He decided to buy a restaurant and he started taking business classes at Montgomery College. This plan morphed into his current business, Prime Seafood, which provides seafood to local Washington restaurants. This made perfect sense since Jim knew fishermen and organizations that provide high-quality fish to locations around the country - why not take advantage of these connections?! Jim is now the principal distributor of seafood to 70 well-known restaurants, many on the “Washingtonian’s Top 100”- including the restaurant that I work at, Blacksalt Fish Market and Restaurant!This is Jim’s first year bringing his seafood to Central Farm Markets' customers. He prides himself on supplying sustainable, high-quality seafood at extremely competitive prices. His business partner, Chef Paul Sorrentino, expertly fillets all of the seafood and makes all of the prepared items provided at market, such as Shrimp and Crab Po’ Boys, Crab Cakes and Ceviche to name a few. All delicious and all ready to go home with you.
Prime Seafood offers fresh boneless fillets of wild King Salmon, Halibut, Sablefish, Ahi Tuna, Cod, Mahi Mahi as well as Scallops, fresh Maryland Jumbo Lump and Lump Crabmeat. This week they will have smoked Salmon and Salmon “Candy” made from the richest tasting salmon in the world (Says Jim: “come ask us why, we like educated consumers”).
In closing, I’ll say this - if you like seafood, and you are getting yours from anyone other than Jim Chambers of Prime Seafood, you are doing yourself a disservice! Stop by Pike Central on Saturday or Bethesda Central on Sunday and see and taste for yourself. Take time to ask questions, learn about what you are eating, where it comes from and why sustainability is so important to us all. Jim loves educating his customers and Paul loves feeding them!Visit Prime Seafood's website to learn more about Jim Chambers and his fish!