Two Northern Ireland chippies land on UK ‘best fish and chips’ list
Kurtis Reid
Belfast Telegraph
Fri 24 Mar 2023 at 09:40
The staff at two Northern Ireland chip shops have shared their joy at being featured on a list awarding the best fish and chips in the UK.
‘The Friary’ in Carrickfergus landed in the top 50 best takeaways while ‘Fish City’ in Belfast took a top 10 spot in best restaurants in a list compiled by leading food publication Fry Magazine.
According to the magazine, shops can achieve 100% if they “score top marks on every section of the mystery dine” but had to achieve at least 95% or over for takeaways to win an award and 92% or over for restaurants.
“It’s something we’ve always really strived for since we opened and we’re absolutely delighted to say the least. It’s a combination of hard team work and coming together" said Fish City’s head chef Nick Clough.
Fish City also won the honour of ‘Environment and Sustainability Champion' award and was the only restaurant nominated across all categories.
“We actually really want to win these kind of awards, we really push ourselves as much we can, to make sure everything we do is at its best.
"We’ve now won quite awards now, and in particular our green and environmental awards, it helps us be able to lead the way and do things before anyone else.
“The awards give us pride to work here, we all feel like we’re all a part of something really good and it’s amazing feeling.”
While owner of The Friary, David McKelvey said the fact the honours are conducted via a ‘secret-shopper’ format makes it extra special.
“It’s our 3rd time listed in these awards, and it’s just really nice to be awarded something like this especially when it’s done like a secret shopper.
“It just means we are displaying the same quality level of service every time no matter who is coming into our shop. It’s a real sense of achievement and it is just an honour to be have something which people value.
“It gives us a real sense of achievement.”
The Fry Magazine awards are now in their 11th year, and come as Fish City continue to dominate both national and regional awards for their grub.
Earlier this month, the city centre restaurant won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2023 beating UK-wide eateries to take the top prize.
Reece Head, competition organiser with Fry Magazine said: “Once again we’ve had another year where it’s simply got harder to operate a fish and chip business, with rising energy, labour and ingredient costs taking a heavy toll.
“It’s not easy but operators are working harder and smarter, staying ahead of changing tastes and behaviours and adapting accordingly.
“Our awards are a real testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment these operators put into running successful businesses.”
He added those who made the publication’s list “represent the best in the industry” and “are pushing forwards while not losing sight of what makes the chippy so engrained in British culture”.