The people who turned up for the Spot Prawn Festival are a special kind of folk. They are patient and kind, the type of people who know what a “Thank You” wave is in traffic, and who don’t mind one bit lining up twice for the first taste of Spot prawn season.
The first line was 50 deep when I stepped in to pay. Wooden fork and paper plate in hand, I was directed to the next line -up that snaked all the way back to the “GO FISH” shack. The loudspeakers crackled out confusing updates in a charming Italian accent.
“Everyone! the price is $10 a prawn!”
Heads turned to each other all the way down the line.
“No, no I mean $10 a plate, a plate gives you 5 prawns only.There are 7 prawn dishes to choose from, but only choose 5!”
Clear as mud, we shuffled closer to the white pop-up tents that filled the dock.
Above the crowd, I could see tall paper chef hats bobbing together as pairs of chefs’ at each long table cranked out their unique ode to the spot prawn. 
Butane burners did double-time in the mid-day sun, as Prawns were finessed and re-invented before our very eyes. Carefully prepared mise-en -place scattered as chefs scrambled to keep up with hands that shot out with empty paper plates.
Fresh prawns were available from the boat, and those brave enough to subject themselves to a third line-up were rewarded with clear bags bulging with fat, pink Spot prawns.
“$12 a pound folks. Boat is here everyday between 12-6″
Jeff Van Geest of Diva at the Met offered up mini cups of his wild nettle veloute with a spot pawn relish that floated momentarily on the soft green-ness .
