Hip Hop Chip Shop wins 'Best Mobile Fish and Chip Operator' at national chippy awards
“TO the hip, hip hop, and you don't stop” – The Sugar Hill Gang were spot-on in their trailblazing hit Rapper’s Delight, which was obviously about their future love of Salford chips.
And it seems that the judges of this year’s National Fish and Chip Awards agree and were also delighted enough to award the 'Best Mobile Fish and Chip Operator Award 2017' to The Hip Hop Chip Shop.
The untraditional fish and chip unit scooped the award during an awards ceremony held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London at the end of January. The event, organised by Seafish, is widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish frying industry.
To secure their position, The Hip Hop Chip Shop were put through a rigorous, multi-stage judging process which scrutinised their responsible and sustainable sourcing polices, preparation of products, staff training procedures and monitoring of customer satisfaction levels as well as marketing and promotional activity. The business was also subjected to mystery judging visits from awards auditors to ascertain customer service levels and the quality of the fish and chips. (Confidential is just wondering how we can get involved in this.)
Upon receiving his trophy from the host, BBC Radio 2 Chef Nigel Barden, Hip Hop Chip Shop owner Jonathan (Ozzie) Oswald said: “This is the first time we’ve entered the awards so to be named the winner of this category is fantastic news; it’s a real honour to be recognised and appreciated for all of our hard work.”
Ozzie, his girlfriend Holly Robson, and business partner Luke Stocks built the business from scratch by converting a trailer to look like a boom box serving unconventional dishes such as ‘fish wrap’ (of course), Ms Fat Butty, Feastie Boys and Shell L Cool J Burger - a
Louisiana spiced crabcake with battered smoky bacon and spicy ‘slaw.
“We pride ourselves in being recognised as an ‘untraditional’ fish and chip shop, pushing the boundaries of the expected and taking our food offering to the next level,” said Ozzie. “We’re out on the roads day in and day out with our 80’s inspired boombox trailer offering customers the best fish and chips with the added bonus of great hop-hip music.”
As well as catering at festivals and events, Hip Hop Chip Shop now has a permanent residency within the kitchens of Kosmonaut on Tariff Street, Northern Quarter and their meals are available for delivery via Deliveroo.
Now in their 29th year, The National Fish & Chip Awards celebrate the Great British tradition of fish and chips, showcasing the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses through fourteen different award categories.
Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: “The aim has always been to showcase the very best fish and chip businesses and individuals in the UK. Running a successful mobile business can be extremely challenging and it demands a lot of commitment; but this is something that The Hip Hop Chip Shop take in their stride. From promoting sustainability and responsible sourcing, to the skilful promotion of their business, they are a great example of how dedication and passion for the industry pays off. I wish them all the best for the future.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson's Chippy, in Lancaster, was named 'Best Fish and Chip Shop in the North West', in the regional heats.
