West Norwood fishmonger a TV star thanks to Streatham Guardian (From Your Local Guardian)
Contact us: Got a photo? Text SLPICS to 80360, click to upload your story or see our Contact us page
West Norwood fishmonger a TV star thanks to Streatham Guardian
1:00pm Monday 17th August 2009 in News By Matt Watts
West Norwood's Pauline Ivaldi is hoping to be a TV star
A fishmonger who opened her shop in West Norwood just six months ago has been tipped for a glittering TV career after appearing on a primetime cookery show.
Pauline Ivaldi, who runs the West Norwood Fishmongers, appeared on BBC 2 show Economy Gastronomy last Wednesday.
The BBC approached the mum-of-two to appear on the show to suggest cheap fish for people to buy after reading in our newspaper her touching of story of why she became a fishmonger.
The 43-year-old had been so upset to hear the fishmongers in Norwood Road, which she had used since childhood, was to close that she retrained as a fishmonger and bought it.
Mrs Ivaldi is now set to appear in another show in the series, and has been told by producers they will contact her if they need to work again with a fishmonger.
She said: “Doing the show was just amazing, a really fun experience. It’s so exciting.”
Her customers have joked with her she could even end up with her own show “The Naked Fishmonger”.
She said: “I have to pinch myself about how much has happened this year. Its amazing to think a year ago I was still training to be a fishmonger and now I am appearing on TV as one.”
The fact she is a woman, and not your stereotypical fishmonger, adds to her appeal to the BBC, she believes.
Mrs Ivaldi’s recipe for Spaghetti Alle Vongole - spaghetti with clams - was used in the programme, which aims to get people to eater better for less during the recession.
Her appearance has also inspired her to work on her own recipe book and she said the exposure West Norwood was given by the programme will be a boost for businesses in the area, many which are struggling in the difficult economic climate.
She added: “There was a real buzz in the high street when the cameras came down."
