Chippie shortlisted for national title (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chippie shortlisted for national title

2:34pm Wednesday 10th September 2008 in Swindon By Raeanne Nightingale

A Swindon chippie has been shortlisted in the National Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition 2008.

Noffs Superfry is competing against eateries in Weymouth, Minehead and Weston Super Mare for the title.

The next stage in the bid to win the national accolade involves a visit from a mystery judge who will assess the shops on product quality, customer service, hygiene, staff training and approaches to sustainable sourcing.

This round, which sees staff in shops around the country on tenterhooks, will provide the 19 area winners who will be announced in October.

One further round of judging will then determine the top 10 shops in Britain who will progress to the grand final, held in London in 2009 and hosted by celebrity chef, Simon Rimmer.

Fishy facts

• Fish and chips remains the nation's favourite takeaway.

• A portion contains 36 per cent less calories than a chicken korma and pilau rice, and 42 per cent less fat than a doner kebab with pitta and salad.

• Recent studies showed fish and chips had the lowest salt content of all the takeaways tested.