BRITAIN’S ‘FAVOURITE FRIER’ NETS PRESTIGIOUS COMMUNITY AWARD

Alf’s Fish & Chips in Weymouth has picked up the Contribution to the Local Community Award at the national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition 2009/10, organised by Seafish, the authority on seafood. Alf’s Fish and Chips defeated other nominees The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, Perthshire, and Metro Fish Bar in Bury, Lancashire, to lift the prestigious community award, sponsored by Duncrue Food Processors Ltd. Owners John and Karen Pearce accepted the award from celebrity chef Aldo Zilli at a high-profile ceremony at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London. In 2009, Alf’s Fish & Chips raised more than £5,000 for local charities and John and his wife regularly host special events for local pensioners where they can tuck into free fish and chips. Last year they provided lunch for 60 children from Julia’s House Hospices across Dorset and they are regular contributors to fundraising by local schools and churches. John was also hailed Britain’s Favourite Frier in a brand new award launched this year based on votes cast by the public, further proving the popularity of his shop as well as his popularity and as an individual. On the double award win, John commented: “To be crowned Britain’s Favourite Frier and to win this prestigious award for our contribution to the community is fantastic . Both of these awards reflect the efforts we have made to support and interact with our valued customers and local community and this is the ultimate recognition of that.” Nikki Hawkins, project manager for the competition, said “Each year we see fish and chip shops across the UK becoming increasingly involved in community activities and supporting local events. “The high standards of entries this year has made the competition all the more exciting, with fish and chip shops throughout the UK showing how they have worked with their community to make a genuine contribution to local life. Alf’s Fish & Chips stood out to the judges because of the position it has established in community life. It is the perfect example of a successful community business and is a role model for small businesses throughout the country.” The Contribution to the Local Community Award is sponsored by Duncrue Food Processors, the family run business with more than 30 years’ experience in manufacturing high quality beef dripping which is sold to the fast food, catering and food manufacturing industries.