Whitings are prized for their sweet, delicate flavour. They are versatile fish that can be prepared in a number of ways including steaming, baking, barbequing and grilling, with frying the most common. Careful handling is required because of their soft and delicate texture.

Fried whiting fillets are fantastic served with chips. Smaller Whiting are delicious deep fried whole.

Steamed whiting fillets with the rib bones carefully removed have a well-earned reputation as an ideal food for invalids and children because they contain very little oil and are easily digested. Butterfly fillets are also popular as there are few bones.

With the exception of trumpeter whiting, which has soft flesh, all Whiting species can be used for sashimi.

Complementary flavourings for Whiting are the herbs dill, basil, chives, parsley and tarragon. When whiting is grilled or barbequed, a salad of grapefruit, orange, lime and lemon, with a citrus and olive oil dressing, will complement the flavour wonderfully. Other suitable sauces and condiments are lemon and herbed butter or buerre blanc. Crusts of cumin, coriander and ground turmeric are also tasty