Jul 2011 - Issue 5 - National Federation of Fish Friers

THE fish friers REVIEW
Q: I’ve only been in the fish
and chip business a very
short time; do I stand any
chance of winning?
A: There is a specific award
category, Best Newcomer
Award, for people who are
new to the fish and chip
industry. This provides such people with an opportunity to
achieve some Awards success without having to compete against
long established businesses.
Q: Do I have to use frozen at sea fish?
No. It is how you store and look after your fish that is assessed as
part of the judging criteria, and not whether it is fresh or frozen.
Q: There never seems to be a winner in my part of the country,
do you prefer the big city shops?
No. There is no preference shown to big, medium or small shops;
it is simply the ‘best’ we look for.
Q: Is there any advantage in using any particular make of
range?
No. During judging the judges look for a range that is clean, tidy,
well maintained and in excellent working order, and the operation
of which is well understood by owners/fryers. The type or brand
of range makes no difference in the judging process.
Q: Is there any point in a small back street type of shop
entering?
Yes! In these awards size does not matter! If you are the 'best' you
will always have a chance of winning. Many past winners have
been small traditional takeaway shops, who have been successful
purely on the back of the excellent service they provide, the
products they serve, the practices and techniques they follow and
general business systems they have in place.
Q: Do I have to have a seating area for customers to eat in?
If you are a fish and chip restaurant there is a specific award
category that you can enter; namely the Independent Fish and
Chip Restaurant Award. However, for other award categories,
including the flagship Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop
10
Chip Tips:
National Fish and Chip Awards special!
Issue 5 July 2011
With the entries for the 2012 competition now
complete, we let Seafish answer some of the common
questions about the judging processes involved in the
shop judging stages of the National Fish & Chip Awards.
of the Year Award, you do not require to have a seating area for
customers (sit-in facilities are noted but carry no marks in the
judging process).
Q: How do I know what the judges are looking for?
The judges are looking for a great product, efficient and polite
service, a good clean shop with welcoming staff. Eye catching
frontage and pleasing shop interior, with informative promotional
point of sale material, will also gain points. The judges are also
looking for best practise with regards to sourcing, storage and
preparation of raw materials through to the cooking and serving
of the actual fish and chips. In essence, the sort of shop you, as
a customer, would like to get your fish and chips from!
Q: I cannot afford to spend a lot of money on refitting my
shop. Is there any point in me entering?
Yes! Think of the local media interest it will generate. Fish and
chips are a well-loved UK icon, and as such, your local media
should be interested in covering your participation in the National
Fish & Chip Awards.
Q: In the flagship Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of
the Year Award category, what benefit would it be for me if I
won my local Area Award and then got nowhere in the
following stages?
Winning the area or regional award is excellent news for your
business, and the publicity gained provides a great platform to
promote your business to new and existing customers.
Q: Do I have to have all new and modern equipment?
No. It just has to be well looked after, kept clean and in good
working order.
Q: I’ve entered in the past and got nowhere, so is there any
point in taking part again?
You may be giving up too easily and as the saying goes, ‘you’ve
got to be in it, to win it’!
Q: Where can I find out more information about the National
Fish & Chip Awards?
Visit www.fishandchipawards.com for full details of all the
various award categories and rules/eligibility criteria.