Moscow plays host to the third installment of "O!Mega Taste" food festival
The Third "O!Mega Taste" Mackerel Festival is wrapping up in the heart of Moscow, located on Revolution Square. On June 1st, during Children's Day, the festivities extended to Moscow on the Wave markets with engaging children's masterclasses. Don't miss out, as the extravaganza continues until June 8th!
The main stage for the festivities is set at the "Moscow on the Wave" market on "Shkolnaya" street, adjacent to the "Rimskaya" metro station. Each day, visitors can indulge in an array of gastronomic, cultural, concert, and sports programs, led by none other than the star of the show – mackerel.
"The festival is gaining momentum, and I'm thrilled to see more people rediscovering the wonders of mackerel. At our stalls on Shkolnaya street, we're proudly showcasing our products alongside those of our partners. The mackerel is delivered straight from the sea exclusively for Muscovites," said Aleksey Merkulov, Communications Director for the Russian Fishery Company (RFC). "Our goal is to introduce a variety of mackerel dishes and innovative twists on traditional meals to our guests."
The festival is dedicated to promoting the consumption of healthy, eco-friendly mackerel. Its ultimate objective is to create a unified supply chain from catching to processing and selling the final product. After trying a dish at the festival or a masterclass, the dream is that everyone can recreate it at home.
Muscovites are falling head over heels for the Russian-style potato bread slice with mackerel and a Commander squid patty, served with a tangy blue cheese sauce and accompanied by iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and marinated red onion. There's no shortage of intriguing options on their menu – one such delight being the popular Pomakukha with mackerel, a hearty Pomor dish that features fried mackerel, slowly simmered with a medley of herbs, served with potatoes, northern berries, and traditional bread.
- I hail from Kamchatka. Mackerel has always been my favorite fish, and I'm delighted to see it gaining popularity again. Mackerel is a unique, incredibly flavorful fish that can take on a multitude of tastes, said Svetlana Bokova, brand chef and founder of the Far Eastern cuisine project "Kamchatka House. From Taiga to Ocean", founder of the Kamchatka region corner with Far Eastern cuisine in the House of Russian Cuisine. - My daughter also adores mackerel cutlets – they're delicious, packed with protein, and partner perfectly with potatoes, grains, or salad.
- Mackerel is a delicate and consistent flavored fish that pairs beautifully with sauces and doesn't require bright complementary ingredients. Every home-cooked mackerel dish is ready in minutes! And when you prepare it at home, there's no overpowering fish aroma like some other types of fish, notes brand chef and author of the mobile Arctic Kitchen project, founder of the "Arctic Moon" corner in the House of Russian Cuisine Ekaterina Mun.
Whispers of mackerel being a "fish for cats" are beginning to fade, as the new generation of food enthusiasts is discovering the gastronomic delights of this versatile and affordable seafood. Join the movement and come down to the "O!Mega Taste" mackerel festivities or pick up your fresh catch at various retailers!
- At the festival stalls on Shkolnaya street, visitors can find demonstrations on how to prepare healthy and innovative dishes featuring mackerel, as part of a lifestyle that promotes food-and-drink choices with a focus on health-and-wellness and nutrition.
- Some exciting mackerel recipes include the Russian-style potato bread slice with mackerel and Commander squid patty, and the hearty Pomor dish Pomakukha with mackerel, both served along with food-and-drink pairings like iceberg lettuce, cucumber, marinated red onion, and blue cheese sauce.
- Brand chefs, such as Svetlana Bokova, Ekaterina Mun, and others, are advocating for mackerel as an approachable and versatile ingredient in cooking, emphasizing its ability to take on various flavors and requiring minimal prep time.
- As more consumers embrace the health benefits and adaptable nature of mackerel, the traditional notion of it being a "fish for cats" is dropping, placing this affordable and tasty seafood front and center in the health-and-wellness arena of food-and-drink choices.
