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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Scots chippie looks to UK success | Scots chippie looks to UK success |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A Scottish chippie has reached the final of the best fish and chip shop in Britain, amid claims that sales across the UK have taken off in the recession. | A Scottish chippie has reached the final of the best fish and chip shop in Britain, amid claims that sales across the UK have taken off in the recession. |
| The Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife will find out later on Thursday whether it has managed to lift the frying crown. | The Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife will find out later on Thursday whether it has managed to lift the frying crown. |
| Owners Robert and Alison Smith were runners up in 2006 in the competition, run by the Sea Fish Organisation. | Owners Robert and Alison Smith were runners up in 2006 in the competition, run by the Sea Fish Organisation. |
| Victory would make it two-in-a-row for Scotland after success for the Townhead Cafe in Biggar last year. | Victory would make it two-in-a-row for Scotland after success for the Townhead Cafe in Biggar last year. |
| Robert and Alison Smith have run the Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant in Fife since 2003. This is the Oscars of our industry Robert Smith | Robert and Alison Smith have run the Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant in Fife since 2003. This is the Oscars of our industry Robert Smith |
| Since then they have won the Scottish Fish and Chip Shop of the Year four times and were UK runners up in 2006. | Since then they have won the Scottish Fish and Chip Shop of the Year four times and were UK runners up in 2006. |
| Their most popular dish is haddock and chips although they do serve up a variety of fish including trout, halibut and lemon sole. | Their most popular dish is haddock and chips although they do serve up a variety of fish including trout, halibut and lemon sole. |
| Robert Smith said: "This is the Oscars of our industry." | Robert Smith said: "This is the Oscars of our industry." |
| He told BBC Radio Scotland why his restaurant stood out: "I think it's just the consistency of the quality and the whole package, everything from when you come into the shop until the time you leave." | He told BBC Radio Scotland why his restaurant stood out: "I think it's just the consistency of the quality and the whole package, everything from when you come into the shop until the time you leave." |
| Robert Smith was born and bred in Anstruther and both he and his wife are hands on at the fish bar and restaurant. | Robert Smith was born and bred in Anstruther and both he and his wife are hands on at the fish bar and restaurant. |
| They entered the competition through the Sea Fish Organisation. | They entered the competition through the Sea Fish Organisation. |
| The various stages of the competition included a mystery inspection, a mystery shopper, tasting tests and shop inspections during which everything is examined including the fish and chips, bookwork, hygiene and customer service. | The various stages of the competition included a mystery inspection, a mystery shopper, tasting tests and shop inspections during which everything is examined including the fish and chips, bookwork, hygiene and customer service. |
| On Wednesday afternoon the Smiths, who are in London for the finals, gave a presentation on their shop to a panel of 11 judges. | On Wednesday afternoon the Smiths, who are in London for the finals, gave a presentation on their shop to a panel of 11 judges. |
| The awards ceremony takes place at 1500 GMT with celebrity chef Simon Rimmer doing the honours. | The awards ceremony takes place at 1500 GMT with celebrity chef Simon Rimmer doing the honours. |
| Last year the UK award was won by the Townhead Cafe in Biggar. | Last year the UK award was won by the Townhead Cafe in Biggar. |
| It is claimed that chips remain the UK's favourite takeaway with nearly 276m meals sold each year from over 10,500 shops. | It is claimed that chips remain the UK's favourite takeaway with nearly 276m meals sold each year from over 10,500 shops. |
| The number of fast-food customers in the country rose by 3.2% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year. | The number of fast-food customers in the country rose by 3.2% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year. |