Chip Shop Competition On Again

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Chip Shop Competition On Again

The search for New Zealand's top chippie gets underway this month with shops able to register to take part in the national competition which identifies where the country's top chips can be found.

Goodman Fielder Commercial General Manager Sales and Marketing, Graeme Laurence, said chippies from around the country would be turning up the heat, in order to claim the top prize of Grand National winner in The Crisco Oils Best Chip Shop Competition 2007.

"Over 500 shops entered the Competition last year with Fish Boys in Petone receiving the top accolade," he said.

"Once again, a combination of public text voting, mystery judging and chip fat analysis will determine 15 regional finalists from each of the six regions across New Zealand, as well as six regional winners and a grand national winner."

The top shops will also need to pass the scrutiny of the Chip Group - an industry collaboration supported by the National Heart Foundation.

Heart Foundation nutritionist, Judith Morley-John, said the Chip Shop Competition is an initiative of the Chip Group, which has been working together for more than a decade, to help lower the fat content of New Zealand's favourite takeaway meal.

She said as a key strategy of the Chip Group, the Crisco Oils Best Chip Shop Competition also aims to drive down the fat content of chips.

"Each regional finalist receives a visit from a mystery judge who as well as looking at a host of judging criteria, sends a chip sample away for fat analysis testing."

Judith said by utilizing the Heart Foundation's best practice frying techniques, chip shops can reduce the fat content of their chips by up to 20%. 

"These techniques include using thick, straight-cut chips; cooking at 180°C and, draining the cooked chips correctly – commonly referred to as the 'bang, shake and hang' method.

"Last year's regional winners achieved an average fat content of 8.2%, which was a fantastic achievement given that the fat content of an average chip is around 11.5%."

As with last year's competition, 15 regional finalists will be selected by the public via text voting which runs from 1 August to 30 September.  Mystery judging will be carried out in October, and the regional and grand national winners are expected to be announced in early November.

The Crisco Best New Zealand Chip Shop Competition 2007 is the country's only national chip shop competition and is this year supported by Goodman Fielder, Huhtamaki, Bakels, Food2Go Magazine, McCain, Moffat, Mr Chips, Potato Growers of New Zealand, Premo Filtration, Southern Hospitality and The National Heart Foundation.

Chip shops can register for free to take part in the Competition by calling 0900 76543 or visiting www.chipgroup.co.nz

ENDS

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