Reviews

Chip Shop Helps Embassy Offer Right Royal Treat

Shelly Staines
Shields Gazette
Friday 7th March 2008

Anbassadors looking to really spoil their guests - according to Forrero Rocher's TV ads, at lease - tend to ope for silver platters piled high with chocolates.

Guatemala's British embassy is setting its sights higher, however, and enlisting the help of an award winning chip shop to serve up a right Royal treat.

Colmans, in Ocean Road, South Shields, has been asked by the Central American ebassy for assistance in setting up a fish and chip stall at its annual garden party to mark the Queen's 82nd birthday next month.

The embassy is expecting 500 guests to attend the celebration and has appealed to Colmans owner Richard Ord, to supply it with trillby-style hats, packaging, T-shirts and traditional bunting to enable it to serve up an authentic version of the traditional fish dish.

Staff at Colmans were anything but daunted by the request as they are used to serving up fish suppers for some of the worlds most famous faces.

South Shields MP and Foreign Secretary David Miliband is a regular diner at the restaurant, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair has also enjoyed Colmans culinary delights.

Mr Miliband said: "When Richard told me that the embassy in Guatemala has been in touch, I was suprised to hear why.

"I think its great that local businesses' reputations are being spread far and whide. With the advice from the staff at Colmans, the guests will have a fantastic time."

Cod won't be on the menu, but guests will be treated to deep-fried white fish goujons.

In a letter to Mr Ord, the embassy's Mark Day said: "Who knows, of this goes down well, perhaps you should consider opening a branch of Colmans in Guatemala? You might have a problem with the supply of cod, plaice and haddock though."

Mr Ord said: "I was very suprised to receive and email from the British embassy. I hadn't realised that our reputation had spread so far.

We are really pleased to be helping with Her Majesty's birthday celebrations in Guatemala."

"Maybe next year the Queen will have a fish and chip themed summer party at Buckingham Palace. We are on standby to assist should she call."

Colmans has added another award to the host of prizes it has bagged over the last two years.

The famous chippy has picked up the prestigious Seafish frier's quality award, handed out to outlets boasting a good quality product, high standards of hygiene and a high level of proficiency on the part of its frying staff.

Seafish quality and trade executive Jim Hyam said: "Displaying our quality award shows customers that the shop is one of the best in the frying businesses in the country, and, not only that, our research proves that by giving quality, businesses can guarantee that customers will keep coming back."

This is the second accolate received by Colmans this year after its fourth place in the 2007 National Fish and Chip Shop of the year competition.