Jul 2011 - Issue 5 - National Federation of Fish Friers

THE fish friers REVIEW
22
Y Wygyr - From
flying to frying
By Thomas Pick
As the first shop in Wales, or more precisely the beautiful holiday island of Anglesey, to receive the Quality
Award, John Williams owner of Y Wygyr Fish and Chips, reveals to have more in common with the NFFF
than just the quest for producing quality fish and chips.
FFR: Please tell us a bit about your shop, the background, how you got
started in fish and chips?
I have always loved fish and chips. While working in the aerospace industry
I would often work abroad and the first thing I would do when I got back to
the UK would be to go down to the fish and chip shop. I had been doing this
for over ten years and thought one day before I retire, I will buy a fish and
chip shop.
In 2003 that chance came to me. I was working as the logistics manager for
CHC Helicopters in Aberdeen at the time and on one of my visits back home
to Wales I saw this chippy up for sale so made an
offer and bought it. From flying to frying!
FFR: How did you first hear about the NFFF
Fish and Chip Quality Award?
I first got the Seafish award thanks to the help I
received from Bill Crook, God bless his soul.
Once established in the Industry I got to know
Bill through the NFFF and it turned out that we
had both worked for British Aerospace for a
number of years. Although our paths had never
crossed we knew a lot of the same people and
cemented a lasting friendship.
FFR: How do you feel the new NFFF Fish and Chip Quality Award has
improved upon the previous Seafish Award?
I always thought that the NFFF should have its own award and I when I spoke
with Bill about this also he agreed.
I think the improvement on this award is in showing the customer in a very
simple way at a glance that it’s a quality award and we have ticked the areas
that have been checked and passed.
The Big Q says it all. Another improvement is giving the award for two years
and not just one, this is so much better.
My customers find it easier to relate to this award, than the Seafish award
because you have made it easy to understand. Well done Bill and well done
NFFF.
FFR: How did you find the judging process, did it raise some issues you
weren’t previously aware of?
The judging process was done in a very relaxed, friendly way, although it’s a
bit unfair for me to answer this question as I was pushing for a very high
standard and I also had a good friend in Bill helping me. You must
understand that having been at BAE together we were part of the old school
as Bill would say.
So due to his help, the answer would be no, it was completely aware of what
needed to be done to reach this high standard.
FFR: How has becoming a Fish and Chip Quality
Award holder been received by your customers?
The award has been much better received than the
Seafish Award. I am seeing people I have never seen
before and I’ve been here for 8 years now. People are
travelling from all over to come for fish and chips and
even taking photos of the chippy! That’s a new one
for me.
FFR: How have you worked with the local media
since receiving the Fish and Chip Quality Award?
Well the presentation was filmed for the welsh news
and articles were published in all the local newspapers, so this has worked
well. The big story that has come off the back of this though is that Price
William wants to visit our shop! How the papers got a tip off on the future
king’s visit I do not know, but two newspapers have called me asking for
comments so I will let them know as soon as I know.
FFR: Do you have any future plans to help promote your shop being a
Fish and Chip Quality Award holder?
Well future plans include waiting for the royal visit so I am preparing for that.
For the Prince and his new wife to visit a fish and chip quality award holder
sound good to me.
Many thanks to John for sparing his time. At the time of going to press
there is still no sign of the Royal helicopter coming in to land, but when
it does we will be the first to report it!