City News

Great British Eatery crowned 3rd best chippy in the UK

A Midlands fish and chip shop has been crowned the 3rd best fish and chip shop in the UK at the national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition 2009/2010, organised by Seafish, the authority on seafood. Owners Conrad Brunton and Andrew Insley were presented with the award by TV chef Aldo Zilli at a ceremony at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in London today (21 January).

The Birmingham shop is as famous for its customers as its renowned fish and chips. In fact the city’s three Michelin starred chefs Glynn Purnell, Luke Tipping and Richard Turner are all regular customers.

Conrad and Andrew were awarded third place status after a rigorous judging process which included a customer vote, taste tests, two intense rounds of shop inspections and a presentation to a panel of industry experts.

Shops are strictly judged not only on the quality of their fish and chips, but on all areas of the business including responsible seafood sourcing, customer service, food hygiene, staff training and community spirit.

Conrad said: “We are very proud to be crowned the third best fish and chip shop in the UK. We’ve learned so much from the judging process about how we can continue to improve our standards and we hope to be back here next year to take the number one position. I’d like to say a big thank you to my staff and loyal customers who helped us reach this stage of the competition.”
Atlantic Fast Food was named the UK’s best fish and chip shop with regional winner, Finnegan’s Fish Bar coming in second place.

Aldo Zilli, compere of the competition and seafood restaurateur said: “The high standards of our fish and chip shops rival the top restaurants in the country. The best shop owners work hard to deliver outstanding quality by using the finest ingredients and a responsible attitude to the sourcing of fish.”

Nikki Hawkins, competition project manager, said: “Fish and chip shops are well-placed to prosper in the current economic climate as they offer value for money and a quality product with a feel good factor.

“Despite the credit crunch, people still want to enjoy small luxuries. In fact 183 million portions of fish and chips were sold last year alone.  A national institution, fish and chips have survived the test of time and will be around for many years to come.”

2010 is the 150th anniversary of fish and chips. The national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition has been run by Seafish for 22 years. In that time fish and chip shops have changed dramatically, with many now offering different varieties of fish such as pollack, coley, and hake. Modern frying methods and state of the art frying ranges also mean that fish and chips is one of the healthiest takeaway meals containing less salt, a third less calories and over 40 per cent less fat than other takeaways.