A Manchester chip shop has been shortlisted among the 40 best chippies in the UK. And it could even be crowned the best in the land.
Chips @ No 8 in Prestwich has been named among the finalists in the Fish & Chip Takeaway of the Year 2023, the annual awards run by the National Federation of FIsh Friers. The competition has been announcing the best chippy in the country for 30 years, and it’s regarded as the most prestigious accolade in the world of fish frying. 2023 will be the first awards for two years, following a hiatus caused by the pandemic.
“This is the chippy world cup,” owner Dan Edwards told the Manchester Evening News. “It’s like the American’s baseball world series, is how we think of it.” From announcing the top 40, the list is then whittled down to the top 20, and then another round for the top 10.
“It’s a really big competition, and there’s a lot of involvement with judges coming in and assessing you. The calibre really is extremely high.
“It took me over two weeks to complete the application, which is very detailed. All the details about your background, sustainability, how you manage health and safety, how you market, staff training.”
The entries in the top 40 are sent to a panel of experts, and then the list is halved to the top 20, and once there are 20 ‘that’s when it really kicks off’. “There will be mystery guest visits, and then when it’s down to the last 10, they come to the premises, come behind the scenes and see how you do everything.
“The NFFF are fantastic representatives for the industry, they really offer a lot of support, so to be naming the number one chippy in the country, they’re got to be robust with their judging.
“We won’t be happy until we get in the top 10. If we do that, I’ll be delighted. I’d love to win it, but I’ve looked at the competition and there’s some pretty good ones up there, we’ll just have to see and take it one round at a time. But even to be in the top 40 validates what we’re doing here, and it’s a nice feeling."
Commenting on the top 40 shortlist, Andrew Crook, President at The National Federation of Fish Friers, said: “Being able to announce the top 40 finalists for this category is an absolute pleasure. It is no secret that the industry are facing some challenges.
“That said, this industry is built upon British stoicism. And with spirit and determination we are committed to supporting our members and seeing through tough times. We cannot wait to celebrate at the awards ceremony in February 2023.”
Dan says that awards this year are more important than ever too, given the strain that’s being put on the industry by rising costs of energy and raw materials. “It’s important given the difficulties we’re facing, and we’re only at the tip of the iceberg. By my estimations, 50% of chip shops will close within the next two years,” he went on.
“The tariffs on Russian fish have pushed prices through the roof. It’s well over 100% increase compared to when we opened [in 2018], and was briefly touching 180%. We’ve always used Scottish fish, but with the tariffs on Russian fish, everyone’s moving towards the domestic market, so demand is high.
“Demand will drop, but that will happen, unfortunately, when chippies close. The situation with potato crops and irrigation costs, it’s bleak. It was considered the working man’s food. But it’s rapidly becoming a luxury product. To stand out above the crowd will bring people in, but unfortunately, it’s a bleak situation for the industry.”
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