Pukka Pies Limited • The Halfcr<strong>of</strong>t • Syston • Leicester • LE7 1LD Tel: 0116 264 4004 • www.pukkapies.co.uk
THE fish friers REVIEW Contents Points <strong>of</strong> View Page 2, 3, 4 News Page 6 New fish and chip world record Page 10 Tracy on Training pt. 2 Page 18 Lighthouse Business Protection Page 28 Sausages and Burgers Page 33 Promoting fish and chips as a brand Page 52 10 Questions: Karen Clark By Denise Dodd, General Secretary <strong>Issue</strong> 6 <strong>Sept</strong>ember <strong>2012</strong> Team GB’s glittering performance at the Olympics as they totally invaded the medals board epitomises the fighting spirit and competitiveness <strong>of</strong> us Brits. Now the nail biting excitement <strong>of</strong> London <strong>2012</strong> has ended, but before the shine has a chance to start fading from the victor’s medals, the excitement is already starting to build in the fish and chip industry’s equivalent to the Olympic games – the 2013 <strong>National</strong> <strong>Fish</strong> and Chip Awards. The shops who successfully fought <strong>of</strong>f their competition in Round 1 <strong>of</strong> the Independent Takeaway category, now nervously await the unannounced arrival <strong>of</strong> an industry judge who will put them through their paces as they assess the business on a range <strong>of</strong> criteria. Any shops who have achieved the NFFF <strong>Fish</strong> & Chip Quality Award will have already warmed up in readiness for this event. The top shop from each region (<strong>of</strong> which there are 10) will then be invited to the final <strong>of</strong> the competition in London in January 2013 for the chance <strong>of</strong> winning the most coveted ‘gold’ trophy <strong>of</strong> being titled the best in the UK. 2013 will be a really special year for the industry, marking the 25th anniversary <strong>of</strong> these awards run by Seafish (previously as the <strong>Fish</strong> & Chip Shop <strong>of</strong> the Year), but also the 100th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Federation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Friers</strong> so the competition this year is extra special. We would like to thank all the shops that have entered the competition, for caring about their businesses and supporting the industry, and to congratulate those who have made it through to the next round. Good luck to you all. One vital topic on the competition checklist that is key to the long term survival <strong>of</strong> our industry, is sustainability. We will shortly be publishing our ‘Responsible Sourcing Code’ which will help fish buyers to make the right choices, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to clarify a grey area about the use <strong>of</strong> the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) blue tick eco label. The use <strong>of</strong> the MSC eco label is strictly controlled under licence from MSC. To able to display this label on a menu or any promotional material the shop must be MSC Chain <strong>of</strong> Custody (CoC) certified, it is not enough just to be selling MSC certified fish. The eco label is also subject to an annual license fee payable to MSC after accreditation has been approved. We’ll explain more about the MSC CoC application and audit processes in a later issue <strong>of</strong> the Review, but meanwhile if you would like to know more do please get in touch with me at the address below. Any NFFF Quality Award holding shops will by now have received their copies <strong>of</strong> the ‘Official Guide to the UKs top <strong>Fish</strong> and Chip Shops’. 100,000 copies have been printed and are starting to be circulated, so if you haven’t received yours please contact us. Our next promotional tool to support NFFF members and Quality Award holding shops is also about to be launched. i<strong>Fish</strong>4Chips the NFFF’s smart phone app will soon be available as a free download for the UKs 32 million or so smart phone users to help them find a fish and chip shop when they need one. I have recently written to all NFFF members and Quality Award holding shops to invite them to promote their shops through this app, and to provide us with more information and a photograph <strong>of</strong> their shop for inclusion in their listing. If you haven’t had a letter, or haven’t sent it back to us yet, this is a reminder – don’t miss out on this great opportunity. If you’re not a member and want your shop to be included, then please contact us. You can read more about i<strong>Fish</strong>4Chips on page 21 in this issue. I hope that you enjoy reading this issue <strong>of</strong> the fish friers’ favourite trade magazine. Did you know? During the Second World War, fish and chips were one <strong>of</strong> the few foods that weren’t rationed. Next <strong>Issue</strong>: Booking Deadline: 14th <strong>Sept</strong>ember - Artwork/Copy Deadline: 21st <strong>Sept</strong>ember - Publication date: 18th October Tom Fiona Louise Karen Paul <strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Friers</strong> Review: Telephone: 0113 2307044 Fax: 0113 2307010 e-mail: yoursay@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk Write to us at: <strong>Federation</strong> House, 4 Greenwood Mount, Leeds, LS6 4LQ 1913 - <strong>2012</strong> 99 years’ service to the trade Founded as the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Fish</strong> Caterers’ Review on April 4, 1925. Designed & Printed by Tebays, Leeds. Tel: 01943 870054 sales@tebays.co.uk www.tebays.co.uk Use your smart-phone to scan the QR code and learn more about the NFFF NFFF Team General Secretary: denise.dodd@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk Training, Qualifications & Quality Award: k.clark@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk Membership and Member Services: l.small@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk Accounts: f.mcstay@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk <strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Friers</strong> Review: t.pick@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk PA & Quality Award: p.douris@federation<strong>of</strong>fishfriers.co.uk 1