A local restaurant has been shortlisted as a UK Top Five finalist in the search for the 2019 Seafood Restaurant of the Year.

Impressing judges with its varied menu and staff knowledge of fish and shellfish, Coast in Saundersfoot has made it to the final round of the UK-wide competition after a number of rounds of judging.

Launched in 2015, the Seafood Restaurant of the Year is presented by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, and The Caterer, the UK’s leading hospitality magazine.

The award was created to seek out the best restaurants in the UK displaying excellence in the cooking and serving of fish and shellfish.

While menu choice is taken into consideration, restaurants are also judged on the strength of staff’s seafood knowledge.

Last year, The Idle Rocks in St. Mawes, Cornwall was crowned Seafood Restaurant of the Year.

Recognised for its high levels of customer service and diverse menu, with judges being impressed by the restaurant’s approach to educating more consumers on the vast range of fish and shellfish available in the UK.

This year’s competition followed a similar criteria, which included mystery diner visits, allowing judges to whittle the shortlist from 12 down to five.

This year’s competition judging panel consists of some of the finest chefs and foodies in the UK, including Adam Thomason, executive head chef at The Genuine Dining Co. in London; José Souto, chef lecturer in culinary arts, Westminster Kingsway College in London; and Guy Owen, proprietor and head chef of last year’s winner, The Idle Rocks, St. Mawes in Cornwall.

Speaking of the shortlisting, Tom Hine, head chef at Coast, said: “The team and I at Coast are honoured to be in the Top Five shortlist and it is great acknowledgement of what we are trying to deliver.

Looking over the shores of Coppet Hall beach and being on the Pembrokeshire coastline, we feel very passionate about using local and seasonal seafood. We strive every day to showcase Pembrokeshire and the amazing produce it has to offer.”

The overall UK winner of the 2019 competition will be announced at the end of October.