Time to vote for Chris’s chip shop in national contest
CHRIS’S Fish and Chips, one of Leicestershires’s most popular fish and chip shops, is hoping to cap an amazing 2017 by winning the Best Takeaway in East Midlands for a third year in a row.
The staff of the popular takeaway are encouraging the local community to nominate them and other takeaways in the area for the British Takeaway Awards 2017, which is now open for votes.
Chris’s Fish and Chips source locally where possible to ensure high quality ingredients are used in their food and they always cook from scratch.
They make their own batter and offer customers the choice to have their fish battered, plain or grilled.
Chris’s Fish and Chips is no stranger to the British Takeaway Awards. In 2015 it was crowned the Best Takeaway in Britain and last year it beat thousands of other takeaways to scoop the prize for Best Takeaway in the East Midlands, for the second year in a row.
BTAs judges, which included Ainsley Harriott and Dragon’s Den Sarah Willingham, were impressed by its commitment to sustainability and charitable spirit. The takeaway sponsors the local football teams, as well as the Hinckley Bowls Club through fundraising activities.
The restaurant also provides catering at local events, including the regular quiz nights at Kirby Muxloe village, which helps raise money for local causes.
The team have also gone to schools, such as Barwell Juniors Academy, to talk to young children about the sustainable sourcing around fish and chips.
Owner Strad Kyriacou said: “Retaining the title for Best Takeaway in the East Midlands for a third year would end 2017 on a high.
“The British Takeaway Awards have such a huge impact to small, independent businesses like ours. Over the last 12 months we’ve had people travelling from miles away to taste our award-winning fish and chips - some from as far away as New Zealand - just because they’ve heard our news.
“Orders have rocketed and we’ve had to hire three new delivery drivers to meet demand.”
Last year a devastating fire destroyed the Kyriacou family home and caused significant damage to the shop.
Adding to their difficulties, Strad soon discovered their insurance company had gone bankrupt. Saddened by the news, a 30-strong team of Barwell locals, including several tradesmen, came together to help get the shop back up and running, suc- cessfully managing to do so in just eight days.
Strad said: “We wouldn’t be where we are without the incredible people in our local community.
“It was such a humbling feeling to win a British Takeaway Award in their honour last year.
“We’re definitely going to try our best to win again this year.”
The British Takeaway Awards, run in association with Just Eat, aim to recognise and reward the dedication of local takeaway restaurants. Voting is now open at www.thebtas.co.uk and members of the public have until midnight October 1 2017 to nominate their favourite local takeaways.