Chippy lands top 50 award
Burnham: Attention to detail is the key
A fish and chip takeaway and restaurant in Burnham has been named as one of the nation’s best in the annual Fry Awards.
Burnham Fish and Chips, in Burnham Lane, has been listed as one of ‘50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways of 2022 and 2023’.
The annual accolade is dished out by Fry magazine, the industry’s trade publication, and this is the second consecutive year that the family-run restaurant has been honoured.
This year, only two fish and chip shops in Bucks made the grade, Burnham being one of them. Last year, there were five in the county on the top 50 list.
Now in its 11th year, the Fry Awards are judged by mystery taste-testers who visit nominated eateries.
They judge each establishment on its staff and service, quality of food, cleanliness, value for money and surroundings.
Outlets have to score high – up to 95 per cent of all marks must be attained to make the list. Social media presence is also taken into account.
Owners Mohinder Singh Bal and wife Gurdip Kaur Bal began their Burnham Fish & Chips venture 38 years ago.
Today the award-winning couple co-run the business with sons Kulwinder Singh Bal and Sachinder Singh Bal and his wife Ranjinder Kaur Bal.
Sachinder said the family are thrilled to have won another accolade and are proud of the family business that they have built on research, tradition and attention to detail.
He said: “My dad started it 38 years ago and we’ve all been part of it as well.
“Ten years ago the shop needed a refit and we took ideas from different fish and chips shops up and down the country going as far as Huddersfield. I brought all those ideas back here.”
Sachinder said the secret to cooking up award-winning food is down to two things.
“It’s down to the positive energy that goes into the food. We tweezer the bones out of the fish every morning and
I’ve got an old butcher’s weighing scale that I use to weigh every piece of fish – and we always go for premium fish. You pay a bit more for it but it’s so flaky and delicious.
“Plus we only fry in rapeseed oil – we’ve always gone for the healthier option.”