General News
18 January, 2025
Horsham teacher take on the world's smelliest fish
It was a day the Horsham College audience won’t soon forget when music teacher Nick Shirrefs took a decade-old challenge: experiencing surströmming, the Swedish delicacy known as the world’s smelliest food.
The unusual event unfolded on December 18 in the school grounds, when Mr Shirrefs, alongside other staff members, braved the infamous fermented herring.
The tin was a parting gift from former student Louis Williamson, who had listened intently during a class discussions when Mr Shirrefs expressed his curiosity.
“I’ve always wondered just how bad it could be,” Mr Shirrefs said.
Louis, who had clearly been paying attention, decided to give his teacher the ultimate answer, having a tin of surströmming shipped to Horsham – a gift that would soon become a school-wide spectacle.
The moment tin was opened, the reaction was immediate.
“I could most accurately describe the smell as when you walk onto a jetty and someone who has been fishing, perhaps days before you, has left some bait out in the sun to rot, only about 1000 times worse,” Mr Shirrefs said.
The audience couldn’t help but gasp, cover their noses and move away very quickly, but Louis didn’t find the smell too bad.
“I personally think that the smell wasn’t as bad as I was expecting,” Louis said.
True to his adventurous spirit, Mr Shirrefs didn’t stop at smelling the fish but also tasted the surströmming, much to the astonishment of onlookers.
“It’s very briny, VERY slimy,” Mr Shirrefs said.
“As a fisherman I’ve experienced some strong smells, but this was on another level.
"I don’t need to do that again.”
The unique event was more than just a quirky moment as it became a lesson in curiosity, courage and embracing life’s oddities.
Louis, who is now leaving Horsham to complete Year 12 in Melbourne, was delighted that his gift sparked such an unforgettable moment at his old school.
“It’s amazing to see how one small idea turned into such a fun and memorable experience,” he said.
For Mr Sherrifs the itch of curiosity is finally scratched, and the story of Horsham College versus the world’s smelliest fish will live on as a legendary tale in town.