My Foodie Life

Alicia and I were in Seattle this summer for one part wedding celebration and three parts rest and relaxation. One of our R&R activities was taking a stroll to the Pike Place Market to check out the famed fish throwing at Pike Place Fish Company.

If you’re like me, and you’ve watched thousands of hours of foodie tv, then you’ve likely seen countless numbers of chefs and foodie personalities visit the Market and take on the challenge of catching a flying salmon. The Fish Company has become an off-beat, culinary landmark because of its impeccably fresh seafood, and the aforementioned flying fishies. In case you’ve never seen this on tv or in-person, every time a customer orders a whole fish, the monger de jour hurls someone’s dinner from one end of the floor to the elevated main counter where a second monger consistently and easily catches the fish.

After snapping some pics of the crew chatting up the enormous crowd, and watching a few fish fly, I was ready to mosey along to our next spot. Thankfully, my dear Alicia encouraged me to interact w/ the guys and in the very least have my picture taken with one of the mongers. With my courage elevated (and Alicia by my side) I asked the boss-man if he would take a picture with me while holding a fish. He happily obliged, but instead of him holding the fish, he shoved it directly into my arms and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. It was a very cool moment, and a great picture.

Emboldened by the situation, and realizing I had nothing to lose, I asked him if I could possibly catch a flying fish. Much to my surprise he actually said yes. He shuttled me up to the counter space where I met the other guys and hung out until someone placed an order. The only words of advice I was given was to catch the fish as if I were catching a taco. I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you the last time I actually saw or caught a flying taco. I was nervous, but ready to give it a try. I mean come on, If Bobby Flay can catch a fish, then so can I.

After waiting several minutes my big moment finally came. A salmon was ordered and it came a flyin’. My fears of having the dropsees immediately abated as I caught that sucker… just like a taco. It was absolutely exhilarating. I walked away from the experience feeling like a star, and I owe it all to Alicia.