University Challenge! Agrico feed the 500

University

For National Fish and Chip Day this year we were set a challenge by Agrico to feed over 500 people with their new variety Babylon. For ease we sent them up to PG Chips to make them into pre-cut chips, ready to just open, fry and serve. The setting was to be the magnificent open park in the city of Cambridge, Parker’s Piece.

By Austen Dack

The event was one of many to be set up by NEODA across the UK to celebrate our national dish, I was lucky to be custodian of this one.

Alongside the chips we also gave away cod goujons courtesy of Seafood from Norway, with their UK Director Hans Frode Kielland Asmyhr on hand to help us on the day.

Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner, (Shadow Minister for Fisheries) also joined us to hear about our industry and the challenges we are facing in the current climate. He said “It’s great to be able to mark National Fish and Chip Day, right here in the centre of Cambridge. Fish and chips are such an iconic dish, and one of the nation’s favourites, so it’s absolutely right that we should celebrate it with events like this. I’m especially pleased to see the focus on sustainability, which is particularly important in relation to fisheries, and to be able to support one of our fantastic local hospitality businesses, which have been through such a tough time over the past two years.”

Our friers on the day were from local mobile fish and chip company Pimp My Fish. Owner John Hudgell was thrilled to be involved. “We absolutely loved being part of National Fish & Chip Day this year. To fry and give out so many portions of fish and chips in less than three hours was amazing. The Babylon variety fried very well, and everyone seem to enjoy them on the day.”

Alex Moore UK Sales Manager for Agrico said. “Up until now we have concentrated

Challenge!

the promotion of Babylon to fish and chip shop owners. To see over 500 people trying the variety in Cambridge was a proud day for us all, and a further step towards it becoming a firm chip shop favourite for years to come.”

We saw people from all over the world queuing for fish and chips and fed nurses, fire fighters, police staff and also the local priest! We also fed over 50 people from the local food hub too. On hand to support us on the day were representatives from Isle of Ely Produce, Seafood from Norway, Friars Pride, Pukka Pies, T Quality, & Neoda.

A real poignant part of the day was when we delivered 30 portions of fish and chips to a local church who were hosting an event for refugees from the Ukraine. This event was championed by trade organisation, The National Edible Oil Distributors Association (NEODA). NEODA represents all the major refiners, key packers and distributors of edible oils as well as suppliers of non-oil products (such as batter mix, sausages, range manufacturers and potato preservatives) in the UK.