Voting Starts In Best Chip Shop Competition

NEWS RELEASE
30 July 2009

Voting Starts In Best Chip Shop Competition

Chips shops across the country will begin the battle for the title of the country’s number one chip shop, as New Zealanders get ready to vote for their favourite chippie in the That’s Life! Best Chip Shop Competition 2009.

Chip lovers can vote for their favourite chip shop by texting a unique four digit code to 4554 from 1 August – 30 September. Customers will only be able to vote once, therefore, they need to make sure that their vote counts.

Chairperson of the Chip Group, Glenda Gourley said the Chip Group is encouraging the public to vote for the best quality chips and should be on the lookout for shops using straight thick cut chips, as they absorb the least fat.

“The top rating shops will then be visited by a mystery judge who this year will be on the lookout for printed certificates showing that at least one member of the chip shop has completed online training covering the ‘New Zealand Standards for Deep Fried Chips in Independent Fast Food Outlets’.

“Shops that complete the online modules will not only increase their odds of winning the Competition, but our research shows that they’ll enhance customer satisfaction and achieve greater business efficiencies.”

There are seven online training modules covering chip size, oil temperature, cooking/deep-frying, drainage, oil maintenance, filtering and cleaning, and salt.

“It only takes about 10 minutes to complete each module and once a module is completed, an employee is then able to print out their certificate,” Glenda said.

“During their shop visit, mystery judges will also collect a chip sample and send it away for fat analysis. They’ll also judge shops against a range of criteria including customer service and shop cleanliness.”

Heart Foundation nutritionist, Judith Morley-John, said over the last two Competitions, operators’ standards have been really high. Last year, 70% of the 89 finalists achieved the Chip Group’s aim of an average fat content of 9.2%.

“It’s encouraging to see that shops around the country are adopting the New Zealand Industry Standards and that customers appreciate the improved quality of chips.

“More shops are now offering salt sachets to customers instead of automatically salting them, plus certificates gained by completing the Chip Online Training modules are increasingly on display in shops,” Judith said.

“We encourage and support all operators to complete the training modules to increase their odds of being crowned the top shop in New Zealand.

“Kiwis love to get behind their favourite chippie and are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of cooking chips according to the Standards.”

Shops can complete the Chip Group Online Training modules by visiting www.thechipgroup.co.nz.

The ‘That’s Life! Best Chip Shop Competition 2009’ is the country’s only national chip shop competition and this year is supported by: That’s Life!, ‘Goodman Fielder’, ‘Bakels’, Food2Go Magazine, McCain Foods (NZ) Ltd, ‘Mr Chips’, ‘Potatoes New Zealand’, ‘Alfa One’, ‘Eurotec’ and the ‘Heart Foundation’.

The grand national winner is expected to be announced in November.

ENDS

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