Meet CJ Jackson chef and author of the Great British Seafood Revival

CJ Jackson has been the CEO of Billingsgate Seafood School since 2005. As a charity, based above the largest inland fish market in the UK, CJ and her team deliver a large range of courses for children and schools, industry training and general public as part of a ‘food lovers’ programme. As a food writer and teacher, CJ has spent the last 25 years trying to encourage people to become confident seafood cooks producing family meals as part of a balanced diet, but also fabulous food to share with friends.

Her passion is anything to do with seafood from sourcing, preparing and cooking, but she is also a keen gardener and seasonal fruit and vegetables feature highly in her recipes.

She has written a number of books specialising in seafood and seasonal produce including: Leiths Fish Bible, Billingsgate Market Cookbook and Dorling Kindersley’s Fish Cookbook. Her more recent book is the Great British Seafood Revival, with photographer Steve Lee. They travelled across the UK to fishing ports to see the best of British seafood, how it reaches our tables, how to prepare it and cook it. 

CJ is also a keen fisherwoman and has enjoyed trips to Scotland (trout and salmon) British Colombia (fishing for Pacific species of salmon) Alaska (fishing for black cod!) She has also travelled extensively and cooked in many kitchens around the globe. With CJ’s writing for a number of magazines she has developed a good understanding of consumer habits in buying and cooking fish.