A Kent chippy has been named as a finalist for a prestigious award. Newington Fish Bar in Ramsgate is among the last three finalists battling it out to be crowned the Quality Accreditation Champion category at this year’s National Fish & Chip Awards.
The Quality Accreditation Scheme is designed to recognise and reward fish and chip eateries that maintain high standards and continuously seek to enhance their operations. Those that participate are assessed against numerous quality barometers including whether their food is off the scale for tastiness.
The story behind this success starts in 1980 when Nigel Derrett and his brother Ken were both working as chefs for different establishments. But due to difficult hours while raising a young family, they both decided to jump on a new opportunity and purchase the Newington Fish Bar on Newington Road.
Nigel told KentLive: “The opportunity came up to purchase Newington Fish Bar and we did and at the time it was only a small fish and chips shop. Our aim was to improve it and make it much better. So working together we managed to do this successfully.”
The chippy was named among the top 20 for the takeaway of the year category as well as top 3 for the Field to Frier and the Quality Accreditation Champion categories. When asked their secret to success, the 65-year-old said: ““It’s quality. It’s running a professional fish and chips shop not a small greasy corner one.
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Nigel has been running the shop for more than four decades
(Image: Nigel Derrett)
“Our potatoes, for example, come from a farm near Sandwich. We always have the best quality fish we can. It’s always more expensive but the quality makes the difference. We always go for the best.
“Our staff as well – we’ve got really good manageresses in the shop. And they are paid really well because we are members of the living wage foundation. It helps maintain staff morale. You’re made to feel welcomed by our staff, you feel like you want to go again. That is just as important. It’s a combination of everything.”
The owner said he is proud of the quality of his products
(Image: Nigel Derrett)
Describing his shop as ‘enthusiastic’, Nigel is the sole owner after his brother retired back in 2018. He runs it with his two managers and a team of 11 staff altogether.
The shop was presented with the top food hygiene award in 1992 by Thanet District Council, and has received a gold standard ever since. In 2009, it was the first shop in Kent to receive the prestigious Five Star Fish Fryers Quality Award, by Seafish, Now run by the National Federation of Fish Fryers.
With a rating of 4.5 stars out of five on Tripadvisor, customers have praised the venue for its service. One customer said: “It was a very nice time all the staff were lovely especially Jennie and they gave us the most wonderful fish and chips we’d ever had thank you Newington.Definitely would go back.”
People have praised its food and service
(Image: Nigel Derrett)
Another said: “I’ve not been to this fish and chips shop for several years as it’s not near where I live but as I was in the area today I decided to drop in and see how good they still are . I ordered a small fish and chips and when I opened it up at home found that both the fish and chips were very generous portions.”
President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, and organiser of the awards, Andrew Crook said: “Whenever a business comes to us to take part in the Quality Accreditation Scheme it’s an encouraging sign that the sector is engaged and the desire to improve is clear.
“The Quality Accreditation Champion Award is crucial to the industry as the collective effort to cement the sector’s standpoint on high standards means we need to keep pushing for better. The category puts a spotlight on the condition of a business at every touchpoint from product sourcing, environmental awareness and sustainability to workplace reputability and stand-out foodservice.
“It makes us so proud of the applicants that they are striving to reach the highest levels of excellence and that we get to play a part in guiding them on their journey is a great privilege.”
The businesses wondering if this ‘cod’ be the moment for them to be the new champion are:
Kent
Newington Fish Bar , Ramsgate
Oxfordshire
Harrison’s Fish and Chip Co , Botley
Yorkshire
Scrap Box , York
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