Perhaps the food lovers among us (all of us?!) will know that today is National Fish & Chip Day!

One of our favourite ever dishes; what’s not to like about lovely crispy-on-the-outside-but-squidgy-in-the-middle chips and delicious battered fish all topped off with a generous dollop of mushy peas and a sprinkling of salt and vinegar. Oooooo, our mouths are watering here already!

Fish and Chips are one of Britain’s best loved dishes, and indeed a fish supper is one of the most popular take-away meals in the country. This tasty dish is served in fish and chip shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and even Michelin starred eateries across the country.

It’s thought that the origins of good old British Fish & Chips date back to the mid nineteenth century. The population of cities was expanding rapidly and thousands of working class families needed fast, cheap and nourishing food. Trawl fishing of the North Sea became common at this time, as did the development of the railways, which meant that the catch of the day could be quickly transported from the coast to the densely populated cities and towns inland.

The first ever Fish & Chip shop to open in Britain was believed to be in London by Joseph Malin in the 1860’s but three years later, Mr Lees had pioneered the concept in the North of England when he opened his shop in Mossley near Manchester. And the rest, as they say, is history. Fish & Chips are still one of the most popular meals in Britain today, and are as loved on the coast of Wales as they are in the middle of London.

So we know how we’ll be celebrating Fish & Chip Day later….. but how do you eat yours? We love mushy peas with ours but other popular accompaniments are curry sauce, gravy, gherkins, onions or eggs. And is it tartar sauce or ketchup, or both? Oooo decisions decisions! And why not check out our very own celebration of Fish & Chips on the fabulous Oakeley Arms food Menu.

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