Fish Pie

Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection • Season 2 • Episode 4

About this episode

Heston was determined to encapsulate all he loves about the seaside into his perfect fish pie. He started out in Scotland where he went aboard a Glasgow University research vessel to find out how one of the UK's biggest seafood catches, langoustines, can be affected by stress. Then it was time to deal with the other fish - salmon and haddock, both of which he cured in a seaweed and salt mix before heading to the DIY store to buy a squirrel cage (which he needed to smoke his haddock!). Then it was time to draw on Heston's affection for the seaside. Heston created 'sand and sea water' that turned the top of this fish pie into an edible beach. Finally, at Oxford University, we found out why it is that what we hear has such an impact on what we taste: test out the theory yourself by listening to the sound of the sea while eating fish pie. Also, find out more about sensory perception.