Fish and chips top dish for Victoria

VICTORIANS have wrapped up the title of the nation’s biggest fish and chip lovers.

Our state is home to onethird of the country’s fish and chip fans, according to research.

The traditional takeaway is especially popular with people aged over 50, grandparents, retirees and Australian-born residents, Nielsen found.

“Victoria has more Australian-born people than the other eastern states, so this could be one of the factors behind the love of fish and chips,” Nielsen senior manager Chanel Day said.

Researchers believe the classic feast will need a modern makeover — such as salad sides and sweet potato fries options — to reel in younger and more health-conscious customers in future.

Fish and chips is Australia’s fourth favourite fast food behind McDonald’s, KFC and Hungry Jack’s, according to Nielsen.

Almost one-third of Aussies said they had eaten or bought fish and chips in a six-month period.

Most buyers live in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Consumption peaks in the warmer months of October to February.

Anglesea Fish and Chips owner Neil Crawford attracts a steady stream of customers to his “old-school” shop for most of the year.

“There’s still that strong as- sociation of growing up as children and going to the beach and getting fish and chips,” Mr Crawford said.

“We get a combination of older locals, lots of families with young kids and tourists.”

Flake and chips remain the top order.

“A lot of people can’t go past flake, it’s so familiar. In the summer when it’s hotter you get a bit more orders for grilled, while in winter people want fried food more,” Mr Crawford said.

Ms Day said giving fish and chips an innovative twist to appeal to the younger crowd would foster sales growth.

“Millennials (aged 20 to 34) want convenient options, but also fresh and healthy options such as grilled versus fried, a bigger range of salads and smaller portion of chips,” she said.

“Also things like sweet potato fries or cauliflower bakes.”

Nielsen’s fish and chips research was based on an online survey of 20,000 Australians aged 14 and over.