Fish friers Review - Mar / Apr 2012 - Issue 2 - National Federation of ...

THE fish friers REVIEW
Quality
Award profile:
The Good Catch
With so many chippies across the country
being run by hard working families, The Good
Catch is no exception. But it’s the next
generation who have taken on this family
business and are pushing it in new and
exciting directions. We caught up with Alison
Mattravers (neé Pittaras) to hear how
achieving the Quality Award has helped them.
FFR: Please tell us a bit about your
shop, the back ground, how you got
started in Fish and Chips?
Alison Mattravers: The Good Catch
Fish & Chip Shops are family run by
four brothers and sisters; Alison
Mattravers, and Chris, Michelle and
Robert Pittaras. Our family have been
in the Fish and Chip industry for
over 40 years. Over the past 5 years
we have taken over the family
businesses from our father, and the
four of us are now running The
Good Catch Fish and Chip Shops in
the Hale and Flixton areas of
Manchester.
We offer a top quality traditional Fish
& Chip Shop menu, with a selection
of fish to choose from. We have combined a traditional food menu, with a
modern view on sustainability and eco friendliness. Paper bags and boxes are
used rather than plastic bags; we recycle wherever possible, the oil used in the
shops has the Green Palm Sustainability Stamp; and sustainable fish are
available on the menu every day.
Due to the success of our current shops, we also have a 3rd Chip Shop opening
later in the year in Liverpool. All going well we are hoping to expand further in
the future.
FFR: How did you first hear about the NFFF Fish and Chip Quality Award?
AM: We heard about the award as one of our shops held the Seafish award last
year.
FFR: How do you feel the NFFF Fish and Chip Quality Award has improved upon
the previous Seafish Award?
AM: The main thing we have noticed from the NFFF is the level of support and
communication we have received throughout the entire process. The
communication we had with members of the NFFF before we entered for the
award was fantastic. There was always someone there to answer any questions if
we had any.
During the judging process we found that it was extremely thorough. Sarah, the
lady who judged our shops, had lots of information for us and was kind enough
to offer words of wisdom from her many years experience in the industry! This
was all really good practical advice that we took on board in both our shops.
Also since we actually won the award we have had really good communication
and support from the NFFF.
FFR: Why did you want to attain the Fish and Chip Quality Award?
AM: There were three main reasons why we were really keen to attain The Fish
We were thrilled with the
news that the shops had
passed the assessment,
as we feel that the hard
work from us and our
staff is being rewarded
““
and Chip Quality Award; we wanted
to promote our dedication to our
customers, improve our knowledge,
and boost business.
We were thrilled with the news that
the shops had passed the
assessment, as we feel that the hard
work from us and our staff is being
rewarded.
FFR: How has receiving the Fish and
Chip Quality Award helped your
business since receiving it?
AM: Since receiving the award we
publicised our achievement in the
local papers, which has really helped
business. Our existing customers are
buying with more confidence and
also new customers have decided to come along and try us out since hearing
about our award.
It was not an easy task achieving the award but well worth the effort! We have
learnt a lot throughout the whole process and can see the benefits of our hard
work paying off in our shops.
FFR: How has becoming a Fish and Chip Quality Award holder been received by
your customers?
AM: Our customers seem to be really proud that their local chippies have
achieved the NFFF Quality award. Everyone who has heard about it has been
full of praise and shown their support to our shops. We have always made sure
that everything is consistent over our two shops, in terms of food quality,
customer service, and general upkeep. As both of our shops have achieved the
award all of our customers can see this level of consistency now and we have
found that more people are now coming to both shops if they are in either of
the local areas.
FFR: How have you worked with the local media since receiving the Fish and
Chip Quality Award?
AM: When we heard that both of our shops have achieved the award we
contacted the local papers to advertise it. Articles and advertisements went in
the paper and we also had a promotional day in the shops to invite our
customers to celebrate the achievement with us. To our surprise this too went in
the paper!
FFR: Do you have any future plans to help promote your shop being a Fish and
Chip Quality Award holder?
AM: We have promoted our award in our shops, in local media and also on our
website and we will continue to do so.
www.qualityfishandchips.co.uk
Issue 2 March/April 2012
21