The EdinburghTattie-oo! What’s Cooking? 2022 and Babylon

The Edinburgh Tattie-oo!

What’s Cooking? 2022 – We sample Babylon!

By Austen Dack

After a 2-year hiatus What’s Cooking? 2022 returned and was batter than ever! Over 70 exhibitors turned up to The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh recently to showcase their products and services to Henry Colbecks customers and the Fish & Chip Industry as a whole.

Customers attending What’s Cooking? 2022 where treated to a range on food samples, entertainment and advice from industry leaders during the daylong event as well as it being a great opportunity for networking and support. My favourite had to be the gigantic but incredibly tasty Big Als burger prepared for me by the Kepak team on their impressive food to go stand. The team were demonstrating that by adding new profitable items to your menu you can attract new customers.

Suppliers for packaging, oils & fats, frozen at sea fish, equipment, frying ranges and frozen foods flocked in from across the UK and Europe to attend the Edinburgh trade show. The event was well attended by customers from both Scotland and England as well as attracting interest from potential new customers and suppliers.

Here at Chippy Chat & Isle of Ely Produce, we were once again out in force this time sampling the new Agrico chipping variety Babylon to the thousands who turned out on the day. We were ably assisted by The Real Fresh Chip Co who can supply fresh pre-cut chips to shops across Scotland. Real Fresh were frying Babylon pre cut samples all day and the reaction from the event was very good indeed!

Calum Richardson owner at the Bay,Stonehaven said

“The Real Fresh Chip Co definitely puts the customer first. It’s great to have a supplier that listens, wants to improve and give advice. Having chips prepared for us this way gives the business more flexibility and more storage. With the volume that we were going through space was becoming a serious issue. We tried Babylon with them today and they

tasted really good. They fried well looked great and had a great colour. “

Colin Cromar owner of the Fish Hoose near Fife said

“I didn’t realise until we started using The Real Fresh Chip Co just what a boon it would be to the business. No more mess, no storage space for bags of potatoes, much reduced staff time which was a great boon during the uncertainty of lockdowns, reduced running costs and much greater portion control. The chips arrive exactly when I need them, keep very well and cook to perfection every time. There is no wastage at all as the chips are even de-slithered for us. The new variety Babylon we tried today will be a good addition to their variety list. I was pleased to try them as they looked tasted excellent and fried very well too.”

Isle of Ely Produce have been promoting a new Chip Ambassador role to promote the great British Chip in association with Agrico. The aim will be to carry on and extend the good work promoting chipping potatoes at their hugely successful open days, and through the ‘Field to Frier’ award.

The Chip Ambassadors will become part of an UK wide group of shop owners and fryers who will promote best practice for potato buying, storing, and of course frying. The chain will also include key growers too like PJ Lee & Sons, and A. L. Lee Farming Company, as IOE looks to nurture the relationships they have grown across the whole supply chain over the last forty years.

Oliver Boutwood Isle of Ely Produce Director said. “It was great for us to be at What’s Cooking in Edinburgh trialling Babylon via the Real Chip Co. It is important for shops all over the UK to try for us to get the results we need for the trial.”

Alex Moore National Sales Manager for Agrico says: “It is nice to see Babylon going on tour and be tried by so many shops. We were very happy to see the variety north of the border and get the same positive results.”

Here at Chippy Chat we would like to send a massive thanks to all Colbecks staff and management for putting on the show!

If you would like to try Babylon and become a chip ambassador, please email austen@ chippychat.co.uk www.therealfreshchipcompany.co.uk/