Sally Allan’s first lobster was caught in Jersey waters. She was on holiday, visiting her uncle, when he took her to meet the fishermen and buy direct. He then taught her how to prepare and eat it. It’s been a passion for Sally ever since and now she’s turned her pastime into a business by setting up Sally’s Fish Camp, locally caught seafood hampers delivered to you.
Growing up in Milborne Port, outside Sherborne, Sally often went to the coast with her parents and brother, getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the beach early and set up camp for the day. They spent time together until sundown; crabbing, snorkelling, sand sculpting and rock pooling. This left lasting memories that Sally wanted to recreate with her husband and children. Now living in Abbotsbury, with views of the sea, the family love only being a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach. It’s a regular occurrence for them to set up camp on Chesil beach or Ringstead Bay, roll out the newspaper and get stuck into local seafood, sometimes lighting a fire and staying on into the night.
Sally has spent most of her working life in hospitality, mainly for establishments that serve and specialise in seafood, although she can also make a mean cocktail. The lightbulb moment for the business happened whilst Sally was working at The Three Horseshoes in Burton Bradstock, chatting with punters, talking about how visitors and locals can find it difficult to eat local seafood outside of a restaurant setting. So now Sally collects seafood from Portland in the morning, prepares and delivers it the same day, on ice, in a bespoke wooden crate, or bucket to her customers, who could be in a holiday let or waiting for her on the beach, picnic rug at the ready. Memories come free of charge.
