Unveiling the Nation’s Fish and Chip Preferences: The Great British Fish and Chip Survey 2023

Title: Unveiling the Nation’s Fish and Chip Preferences: The Great British Fish and Chip Survey 2023

Article: As the country gears up to celebrate National Fish and Chip Day on June 2, people all over the UK are getting ready to indulge in this beloved family favourite. From fish and chip shops to restaurants, pub chains, retailers, fishermen, and farmers, everyone is coming together to enjoy this iconic dish made from sustainable and natural ingredients.

To coincide with this year’s National Fish and Chip Day, the National Fish and Chip Day team conducted a nationwide online survey called The Great British Fish and Chip Survey 2023. Running from April 13, 2023, to May 22, 2023, the survey aimed to discover the nation’s preferences when it comes to fish and chips.

Here are the key findings from the survey, revealing the popular choices for accompaniments and condiments:

Favourite accompaniment for fish and chips:

• Salt and vinegar emerged as the clear favourite among respondents, with a staggering 64% choosing this classic combination.
• Salt alone was preferred by 16% of participants, while only 5% opted for ketchup.

Preferred accompaniments for fish and chips:

• The top choice for an accompaniment was mushy peas, with 40% of respondents selecting this traditional side dish.
• Interestingly, 13% of participants preferred to enjoy their fish and chips on their own, while another 13% favored tartare sauce.

Most preferred fish with chips:

• Cod was the preferred fish for over half of the respondents (55%).
• Haddock came in second place with 38% of the votes. Notably, in Scotland, 72% of respondents preferred haddock over cod, and Yorkshire and Humber also favored haddock as their fish of choice.

Dining preferences:

• The survey found that 89% of people preferred to take their fish and chips away, while only 4% would opt for delivery. The experience of visiting a local fish and chip shop and enjoying freshly cooked food was cherished by many.

Preferred dining locations:

• Home was the favourite place to enjoy fish and chips, with 43% of respondents choosing this option. Seaside dining came in a close second, attracting 34% of the votes.

Importance of sustainable fishing:

• The survey revealed a fairly even split regarding the importance of the MSC Blue Tick standard for sustainable fishing. 37% of respondents said they would only buy fish and chips from shops with the Blue Tick, while 39% stated that it did not influence their choice of shop.

Batter bits – what do you call them?

• When it comes to the crispy bits of batter, the most popular name was “scraps.” However, there were various other names mentioned by participants, including scribbles, bits, crunchy bits, and more.

Regional variations:

• The East of England showed a higher preference for just salt on their fish and chips, with 20% of respondents from that region choosing this option.
• In the North West, a bread roll to accompany fish and chips was the most popular choice, with 24% of respondents selecting it.
• Curry sauce was more popular in the South East compared to other regions.
• In Scotland, 44% of respondents preferred tartare sauce as their favourite accompaniment, surpassing the popularity of mushy peas.
• Plaice was more popular in London than in any other region.

For specific regional results or further national facts from the survey, please contact Josie at 07734 050238 or email jo@risecommunications.co.uk. Interviews with national award-winning fish and chip shops, industry experts, and assistance in finding amazing shops in your area can also be arranged.