How did you get into the industry?
I’ve worked in fish and chips from 16 years old, left and went to university, but my love has always been deep-rooted. Being taught from a young age by my grandad where the best and award-winning fish and chips shops were, it became my dream when my shop came up for sale. My grandad sadly passed away before the purchase was complete, so it’s been my mission to make Westend an award-winning fish and chip shop that he would have told me about when I was younger.
What’s your favourite food?
I don’t think I can pick one, I love food, whether it be pasta dishes, homemade ones, classic pies and peas, or corn beef hash. I’m a stickler for a good Sunday roast though, lamb, beef or chicken with lots of gravy and a Yorkshire pudding!
Is there a food you won’t eat?
Believe it or not, I’m not a big fish or seafood lover. I enjoy salmon and white fish but, apart from that, I’m not overly keen on the taste or texture of some other seafood products like prawns.
Where have you had the best fish and chips?
Bispham Kitchens in Fleetwood. I’ve been going there since I was a child with my grandad (one of the best he would say). As well as fish and chips, their steak puddings are unreal, large in size and delicious. We would then share a ginormous chocolate eclair. I’m pretty sure it was bigger than my head as a child!
What side is a must with your fish and chips?
It depends on my mood. I love fish and peas, but I also love a fish drowned in curry sauce. Or, if it’s on its own, tartare sauce.
If you could open a fish and chip shop anywhere, where would it be?
I’d just like to stay where I am and make Westend bigger! Westend is where my passion started, it’s my local community and my friends and family are all here.
Do you have a favourite restaurant?
Hickory’s Smokehouse. It is a smoked BBQ meathouse; do I need to say more? BBQ beans and pulled pork, I’m in heaven!
What is your go-to drink?
I don’t really drink alcohol so I’d say Vimto.
What dish reminds you most of your childhood?
Fish and chips. I grew up on fish and chips, it was my grandad’s favourite dish. Sometimes we had fish, other times it was steak puddings or a sausage, but it was always the chippy we went to. I remember sitting in one near Fleetwood and looking out to sea and I used to shout ‘look at that boat’ so my grandad would turn and I could pinch his chips!
What is your guilty food pleasure?
Mum is the most incredible baker, she perfects every bake she does so when we get that message, it’s a fight between me, my partner, my brother and my dad for who gets it. It’s first come, first serve which is usually my brother!
What’s been your weirdest food combination?
Oh, we’ve made some right combinations at work! I once had a customer ask for fish, chips, peas, gravy and curry all together! But ours has to be a John Bull sandwich. For those who don’t know, a John Bull is a Blackburn speciality that consists of two slices of potato with seasoned mince in the middle, then it’s fried in a crisp batter. With salt and vinegar on and placed on a barm, it is brilliant!
What one piece of equipment would you love to purchase for your business?
We would love a new digital frying range and a full refurbishment to make the shop bigger. An extension would give me space for a larger fish fridge and preparation areas.
