How did you get into the industry?
I was a college lecturer in hospitality and eventually assistant principal of a large further education college. My late husband, Richard, was a potato merchant, and someone he knew was selling a shop in Chester. I took voluntary redundancy and we opened Fish and Chips at Weston Grove in 2016.
What’s your favourite food?
If I said fish and chips, you wouldn’t believe me, but it’s true. This is because, like many, it brings back happy memories of my childhood. Instead, I’ll say a big, juicy, rare fillet steak!
Is there a food you won’t eat?
I don’t like raw celery or olives. I thought it was because I didn’t like them as a child, but I still don’t like them.
Where have you had the best fish and chips?
As a child, my gran lived in Stillington near York. She once owned the chippy next door during the war. I remember walking round at night, bats flying above, coal fumes in the air, the smell of beef dripping, the frier carrying a bucket of batter out from the back, the sound of the batter hitting the hot oil, and eating out of newspaper, heaven!
What side is a must with your fish and chips?
I grew up in Walsall in the West Midlands so it’s got to be curry sauce!
If you could open a fish and chip shop anywhere, where would it be?
I’ve had to think hard for this one. I love my shop in Chester, but I do visit fish and chip shops in the most beautiful locations with sea views, so I’m going to say a British seafront takeaway in North Yorkshire.
Do you have a favourite restaurant?
San Carlo in Manchester with my favourite dish being lobster tagliatelle. The service is always excellent. I also love Betty’s Tea Shops in Yorkshire and they are the real reason I went into hospitality all those years ago!
What is your go-to drink?
I love a really cold glass of dry white wine, served in a lovely glass.
What dish reminds you most of your childhood?
At home, liver and onions, which I loved. And then at school, cod roe fritters. My friends didn’t like them, so I would eat lots!
What is your guilty food pleasure?
Anything nutty – a bowl of nuts, chocolate-covered nuts or sugared almonds.
What’s been your weirdest food combination?
I once went to a dinner dance at The Belfry. Little did I know they had hired an acting group called ‘Spanner in the Works’ who integrated with the main service team. The night was full of catastrophes that they had set up, but we were all unaware until we pieced it all together at the end. I remember eating unpeeled carrots and dolly mixtures on sticks as canapés, but because we were all chatting and drinking, we thought nothing of it and ate them. I don’t think I’ll be having them again.
What one piece of equipment would you love to purchase for your business?
A defrosting fridge. I see them on my visits, and I would love one.
