A five star performance

Henry Jones Gold Batter Mix receives a rave review from Five Star Fish Bar in Llandaff North, Cardiff

For more than two decades, Mr Shahz has been serving fish and chips at Five Star Fish Bar. A family man with deep roots in the trade, he grew up watching his father run chip shops in the late 1970s and 80s. He learnt the ropes himself when the family moved to Scotland and opened a chippy there before he eventually returned to Cardiff and bought his own shop. “I’ve been here 21 years now,” he says with pride. “This is the first business I bought for myself, and I’ve never looked back.”

Five Star Fish Bar sits on a busy main road, attracting both loyal locals and passing trade. Mr Shahz keeps things traditional with freshly cooked cod and chips the biggest seller, though he also weaves in touches from his own background, such as pakoras, onion bhajis, and even his now-famous Irish curry sauce. 

“I’m half Irish so I do sell Irish curry sauce and it’s very popular,” Mr Shahz explains. “I did have a good laugh bringing that in. Many of my customers who didn’t know what it was wanted to know if there was Guinness in it! I said no, but be careful when you drive!”

A key part of the takeaway’s longevity is the batter: Henry Jones Gold Batter Mix from Kerry Foodservice, which Mr Shaz says he has used for as long as he can remember. “The texture is really good,” he says. “It gives a nice, even, thin coating that stays crisp. The colour is beautiful too – golden, just like its name – and my customers love it.”

Consistency is key in a business where reputation keeps people coming back. Mr Shahz mixes fresh batter every morning, keeping it chilled until needed. “We’ve got a batter mixer, so it’s easy to get it right every time,” he says. “I’m very particular, though, I usually do it myself. It’s an important part of the cooking, and I like to make sure it’s spot on.”

His emphasis on quality stems from experience. Before taking over Five Star Fish Bar, Mr Shahz worked in other shops where he noticed a common shortcut whereby friers piled on thick batter to make the fish look bigger.

“The problem is, it doesn’t cook through,” he says. “Customers would peel it off and just eat the fish. I didn’t want that. I wanted people to enjoy the batter with the fish. Henry Jones gives me exactly that: light, crisp, tasty batter that complements, not hides, the fish.”

Mr Shahz praises his Kerry Foodservice rep, describing him as “more like a friend” who’s always on hand with support and ideas. And despite pressure during the pandemic to follow trends like delivery, Mr Shahz believes in sticking to tradition. “I’d rather focus on quality and keep people coming through the door,” he says.

For Mr Shahz, the formula is simple: great fish, loyal customers, and batter he can rely on. “If your customers are happy and satisfied with your food,” he says, “you don’t need to change anything. That’s why I stick with Henry Jones.”

Kerry Foodservice 0800 138 1938 eu.kerryfoodservice.com