Unsung Hero: Mia Ewart, Kellaway’s Fish & Chips, Truro, Cornwall

Age: 18

Position: Kitchen team 

Nominated by business owner Lauren Kellaway, who says: “Mia is a highly valued member of our team. Mia is an extremely reliable, capable young woman who deserves to be recognised for her hard work. Over the past two years, Mia’s confidence has improved significantly. If I’m frying and Mia is supporting me in the kitchen, I know that she has got everything I need prepped in advance – as we all know, during a busy shift preparation is key!”

How long have you worked at Kellaway’s?

Since October 2022. I was just turning 16 and looking for a part-time job as a way to save some money, looking towards the future of expensive driving lessons and splashing out on some new clothes to keep up with the fashion trends at the time. I initially went up to the shop to hand my CV in to find it was closed. A woman walked past me with her puppy (I later found out that this was Lauren, one of the owners). I handed her my CV to then be invited for a trial shift. I remember feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves at my first ever job interview. 

After meeting with the owners and deciding I was a good fit for the team, I had various shifts learning the ropes of how to work the kitchen, till and desk. Now that I have been at Kellaway’s for just over two years, I can look back on 16-year-old me and see how far I’ve come in terms of confidence and my skill set for the job.

What are your responsibilities?

Being in the kitchen is where I find I work best, this can vary from stock-taking and prepping food to be cooked to making our homemade tartare sauce and fishcakes, and ensuring the frier has what they need. I’m also constantly keeping on top of the dishes as well as so much more. 

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of the job is the satisfaction I get from delivering good service. It requires a great deal of multitasking and team working that create an ever evolving learning experience that keeps the role exciting.

What is the worst part of your job?

The cleanup! Keeping the shop looking its best is no easy task and it requires a careful amount of effort to ensure that customers get the best experience. Time management is a key component needed in cleaning up, making sure equipment is ready to go for the next day and without each other’s help, our jobs would be much more difficult. 

What is it that you like about working at Kellaway’s?

The fact that no two shifts are the same and you never quite know what to expect. Communication and collaboration is what makes Kellaway’s award-winning fish and chips and the delivering of excellent service is what keeps me motivated to do a good job.

How do you feel to be nominated as an Unsung Hero?

I’m so proud to be a part of the Kellaway’s family and I feel privileged to be put forward as an unsung hero. It is almost unbelievable to me the amount my confidence has increased over these two years thanks to Kellaway’s, and I can’t wait to discover what the future brings.