Fish and chips making big comeback

A QUARTER of Britons named fish and chips as their favourite takeaway in a Young’s Seafood survey published over the weekend.
Nostalgia plays a big part in the meal’s popularity, with 38 per cent saying the dish reminds them of childhood holidays beside the sea.
And many of those surveyed said fish and chips came before other favourites such as curries, pizzas and Chinese meals.
Young’s maintains this could be explained by the fact that 41 per cent of those surveyed told the company they feel more confident about cooking than five years ago, thanks to the continued rise of celebrity chefs and food inspiration on social media.
This apparent shift towards cooking at home means fish and chips is becoming more than just a takeaway treat as an impressive one in three people recreate the dish at home in a bid to be healthier.
Yvonne Adam, marketing director for Young’s Seafood, said: ‘It’s great to see that fish and chips is still at the heart of the nation.’
A similar survey by the Sunday Telegraph last year reported that the nation’s appetite for fish and chips was on the rise, partly due to the recession because the meal is relatively low cost.
The report highlighted Calum Richardson, who runs the Bay in Aberdeen, as a new breed of chippie owner.
He now generates revenues of £1.1 million a year from his fish and chip shop – and the business is still growing fast.
One of the biggest earners in the business isn’t the hot food but Richardson’s own brand of three-flour batter mix, which he sells in sachets to restaurants and caterers seeking to copy his crisp fish finish.
He said he didn’t pay VAT on it like the hot food – ‘I’ve done a deal with Compass to supply the offshore rig sector. I now supply 24 rigs and 4,500 fish suppers go out every Friday.’