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Leader Live
11-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham and Flintshire chip shops aim for title award
Whether it's a Friday night treat of fish, midweek battered sausage or pie, all with chips of course, we asked for the best of the best. Readers nominated their favourite fryers from across Wrexham and Flintshire but who will make fish-story? Sealing the deal could be those extras - gravy, curry sauce, mushy peas - or maybe it's above and beyond service. Read more: 'We're humbled' - Meet the winner of best deli, butchers, farm shop 2025 Nominations from across the region were collected and counted to reveal our top 10. Voting is now open, and voting forms can be found in the Leader until Friday, June 13. Ahead of the big reveal, we get to know some of the finalists... Chip-O-Dee - 14 Borras Road, Wrexham Haci Deniz, owner of Chip-O-Dee Wrexham. Owner Haci Deniz is no stranger to awards, having recently been shortlisted as a 2025 finalist as Best Kebab House in Wales in the British Kebab Awards. The 32-year-old, who has had the business since 2020, often gives back to the community. At Christmas 2024, he donated presents for the patients at Nightingale House Hospice to give to their children and grandchildren. Haci said: "I feel very happy to be in the top 10. As Chip-O-Dee owner we prepare and present our food with lots of effort. So to see us as Chip-O-Dee on the top 10 shows our customers' reward. "It would mean a lot for me to win because Chip-O-Dee always offers good quality flavours. It would mean a lot for me to see our customer feedbacks. "People come back to Chip-O-Dee because we offer our customers delicious and quality meals with a friendly welcome. Customer satisfaction is valuable to us, and presenting quality food is important for us. "We thank all our customers who choose us." The Big Fish - Chester Street, Mold Alex Valyandis (centre) and the team at The Big Fish in Mold. Alex Valyandis took over The Big Fish in Mold in 2022, and hasn't looked back. The former pro MMA fighter now has a team of about eight helping him keep on top of demand at the popular chip shop. Thirty two-year-old Alex, who previously worked with his dad in Yiannos Fish Bar in Wrexham, said: "It's been going really well and we've improved each year. We were welcomed with open arms." On hearing the Big Fish had made it as a finalist, he said: "We were really surprised, we're only a small shop but it makes it really exciting. "To win would mean everything. But it's also about supporting local business, we're all in this together. It's nice to be nice, it's good karma." Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar - Bradley Road, Wrexham The team at Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar. Fehim Ayaz has been running things at the shop for the last three years. The 50-year-old knows it's hard work to stay on top and keep customers coming back. He said: "People come back to our shop because we are doing our best to provide the best service. "Our products are good quality and our staff work very hard to make the customers pleased with the food. "We always use fresh fish and fry fresh chips for almost all orders, and we change our frying oils every day. Hygiene and good quality service are our priorities. "Also, we provide gluten-free fish and chips for our customers." Making it as a finalist was a special moment, Fehim added: "When we learned that we made it to the top 10, my staff and I felt very happy and proud. It proved that we are on the right way. "Winning this would be the award for our hard work for the last three years. If we win we will keep doing our best to please our customers with the high quality service. I believe our success will go on in time. "I want to thank our customers for nominating us. Their nomination shows they know where to find good quality and they have a good taste in food. "Thank you very much for nominating us and making us heard." Gwersyllt Fish Bar - Dodds Lane, Gwersyllt Andrew Mertakkas, Jason Mertakkas and Leonardo Mertakkas from Gwersyllt Fish Bar, Wrexham. Brothers Jason and Andrew Mertakkas currently run the Wrexham chip shop but the business has been in the family since 1984. On reaching the final, Jason, 47, said: "It was a bit of a surprise. But we know we're one of the best, and are very happy and privileged to be nominated. "And it's nice to be recognised for our hard work. "It's a great business to be involved in, it's a lot of hard work but it's very enjoyable, we love it." On why their customers remain so loyal, Jason added: "All our staff are very friendly, we're a likeable place to go. "The food is top class, we put a lot of effort into getting the best products out there. "To win would mean a lot, and would help improve business to have been named the best in the region but even if we don't win, to have got this far is an achievement." Clearly success runs in the family, as Jason and Andrew's uncle George Koumas is also a finalist with Borras Park Fish Bar. Kingsley Fish Bar - Churchill Drive, Wrexham Dee Singh, owner of Kingsley Fish Bar in Wrexham. Owner Dee Singh has been running the business since 2011, with support from his wife, Jaz Kaur. Forty three-year-old Dee, who is helped with a team of five, was "ecstatic" to have made the top 10. He said: "To win would mean that all the hard work of everyone at the chip shop has paid off. "Our main aim is to provide excellent customer service, along with delicious food to keep them coming back, so being in the top 10 proves we're right on track with the customers. "Whether we win or not we would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty and our promise to them is that we will do our best to continue to provide them with top service and top food. "And to our staff, teamwork makes the dream work, and we are a great team!" Jaz added: "My husband puts everything into the business. Customers come back I think because of the loyalty Dee and the staff show them too. "To win would mean everything. It would mean a lot to us both but especially my husband for the amount of hard work he has put in." Jones's Fish and Chip Shop - St George's Crescent, Wrexham Emma Gaffey, Marlene Roberts (owner) and Linda Adamson. A long-standing business in the city, Jones's has been part of the same family since 1931. The shop has remained open throughout, including through the Second World War, only closing during the covid lockdown. To continue to be recognised by their community with a place in the top 10, was a welcome surprise. Emma Gaffey, the owner's granddaughter and fourth generation at the shop, said: "We were very please, it's fierce competition. "A lot of Wrexham's chip shop's have very loyal customers, so to be nominated in the first place is an honour. "We have a lot of regular customers, which is very much appreciated." The chip shop has also felt a touch of the Wrexham AFC 'Hollywood' magic, as visiting Americans head there for a pre-match fish and chips. Emma, part of a team of 10 at the shop, said: "We see a lot of those that have managed to get tickets for the game. "It's been very interesting, getting to tell them more about Wrexham." On possibly winning the Best Chippy title, the 33-year-old added: "It would mean the world, especially to my nana, she still comes in every day. "The business, it's in the family's blood." Borras Park Fish Bar - Borras Park Road, Wrexham Borras Park Fish Bar, Wrexham. Like several finalists, it's a family affair at this Wrexham chip shop, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next month. In 1975 George and Miroulla Koumas, from Cyprus, bought the shop, now grandson George Valyandis is the third generation at the helm. George, who has been there for the last five years, says his grandparents still pop in. Until covid, his granddad still came in to cut the fish. The 35-year-old was thrilled to make it into the top 10. He said: "It's always nice to be recognised, that people have taken the time out to acknowledge us for the hard work we do. "We always appreciate our customers, it's a pleasure to serve them, we have a good rapport. They're always so nice when they come in, giving us compliments. It means a lot. "And we really look after the shop because it's been in the family for so long. "To win would be massive. I think my grandparents would be the happiest." Stubby's Fish Bar - Council Street, Llay Stubby's Fish Bar owner Steven Pritchard and son Jack. Being named a top 10 finalist was a surprise to no one more than owner Steven Pritchard. The 49-year-old said: "I was a bit in the dark about it but it's absolutely fantastic from our customers, a great honour." Steven, who first started working in a chippy from about 13-years-old, has had the shop for the last 11 years. Named after a nickname given to him from an uncle when he was about six, Stubby's has a team of four, including Steven's son Jack. He added: "I try my best. I maintain standards of keeping the food nice and fresh, while keeping an eye on costs. Everyone is feeling the pinch. "It helps to have good staff and a good atmosphere too. It's about the customers that come in too, they're great with me. "It would mean the world to win, a fantastic achievement. We're up against a lot of good takeaways that have been around a long time. "To win against them would be marvellous but if we didn't, we'd congratulate whoever wins." The full top 10 hoping to get your vote: • Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar, Wrexham • Borras Park Fish Bar, Wrexham • Chipodee, Wrexham • Crystals Fast Food, Mold • Gwersyllt Fish Bar, Wrexham • Jones' Fish and Chip Shop, Wrexham • Josie's Chip Shop, Rhosymedre • Kingsley Fish Bar, Wrexham • Stubby's Fish Bar, Llay • The Big Fish, Mold
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newport takeaway dubbed 'best kebab house in Wales' gets high hygiene score
A Newport family-owned takeaway has received a high food hygiene score. Grill And Bake, on Corporation Road, received a four-star food hygiene rating when inspected on March 6. This means that overall, the takeaway is rated as "good." The food hygiene rating is based on three categories: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety. At the time of inspection, Grill And Bake was found to have "good" cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety. Hygienic food handling was rated as "very good." Grill And Bake was crowned the "Best Kebab House in Wales" at the twelfth British Kebab Awards, sponsored by Just Eat, in March last year. The business, owned by Hatip Aksoy and Ibrahim Aksoy, was given the award, which they described as an "amazing achievement." The Food Hygiene Rating Act 2013 became law in Wales on March 4, 2013, requiring all businesses selling food in Wales - including pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, takeaways, schools, hospitals, canteens, care homes and corner shops – to display hygiene ratings in a prominent place, and to provide the information verbally if requested over the phone. Inspections are carried out by the local authority officers, and ratings - from zero, meaning urgent improvement is necessary or they may risk closure; to five, meaning standards are excellent - are updated on the FSA website. Businesses have the right to appeal against ratings. Each inspection is carried out under three categories - hygienic food handling, which covers preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, covering including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, and the management of food safety, which is defined as the system or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.
Telegraph
19-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Starmer sets a trap you could spot from space – and Badenoch still dives into it
I know there is only one award that readers really look forward to each Wednesday. Today it was a clear winner out of the gates with the second question. 'Bottom-Crawler of the Week' was Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, a Uriah Heap lookalike who spoke about his passion for job creation, and how wonderful the Prime Minister's plans for it were. I looked him up to see whether he had spent the last few months living on the moon and I can tell you that he can't have been all that passionate about jobs, having never had a real one in his life. There are bacteria in the average human gut which have contributed more to the wealth of nations than someone who went from being head of the National Union of Students to chairman of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association to being a local councillor to being a trustee of Stonewall to being a Labour MP. The closest he has ever got to a serious job was as head of PR for the British Kebab Awards. No wonder these people are blind to the effects of their jobs tax on businesses; none has ever been involved in anything beyond Early Learning Centre-grade student politicking. Presiding over this affront to parliamentary democracy is, of course, Oinky. He was in particularly ebullient form today; perhaps they'd put something in his herbal tea. Given the last time the current PM had something new or interesting to say at PMQs was during the early days of the May administration, he invariably gets muddled when overexcited. In reply to Mrs Badenoch's query about the looming emergency Budget, he simply barked 'massive 22 black hole', which might actually have given us a dreadful insight into the depths of his psyche. After pinning the PM down on hospice funding, Mrs Badenoch herself managed to be snared. Sir Keir is hardly subtle in this, resembling Elmer Fudd in a brilliantined wig, as he sets traps visible from space. Still, Ms Badenoch allowed him to ask her a question. 'Would she reverse the National Insurance increase?' he cried. The whole charade is pointless at the best of times but allowing Britain's smarmiest man not to only fail to answer anything himself but to turn the tables and become the inquisitor is a step too far. Oinky referenced his much-fantasised-about big black hole in every single answer, often mangling it along the way; 'Twenty-two billion hole!' he yelled. Beside him, Big Ange and Rachel from Complaints nodded in rare unison, like a pair of dolls. Specifically, Pinocchio and Chucky. Mrs Badenoch offered to swap places with the PM if he was so keen on not answering questions. After the headline sparring, various backbenchers took their turns. Carla Denyer, the winner of the 'most obviously a Green Party MP' award tutted and shook her head during the PM's answer about benefit cuts. A Lib Dem who was dressed like an Edwardian ghost asked a question about eating disorders. The biggest laugh came for Lee Anderson (who has directed most of his recent fire not at the Government but at, er, Rupert Lowe) when he claimed to be asking sensible questions. How many Starmtroopers in Reform-facing seats will still be laughing come the next general election remains to be seen. More impressive was Danny Kruger, who asked the PM why he was obsessed with 'doing things to disabled people rather than with them'. The question was ostensibly about the benefits system but inevitably invited consideration of Kim Leadreaper's evil bill still under discussion down the corridor. Finally, the MP for Bedford asked a totally incomprehensible question about a theme park. Why would we need another theme park, one wonders, when we have the House of Commons?
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uber Eats reveals the top 10 most popular orders in London
The results are in, and Uber Eats has just unveiled the culinary champions of the capital's food delivery scene. As the platform celebrates its billionth delivery in the UK, the delivery service has spotlighted the local heroes that have been satisfying London's appetite, one order at a time. From sizzling chicken to international cuisines, these ten restaurants have emerged as the most ordered small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) on Uber Eats in London for 2024 Lakers Chicken Manjaros The Ottoman Doner Bims Roti King Fortune Cat Saravana Ghavan Royal China Group 皇朝餐飲集團 Going Greek Urban Chocolatier The top-selling items from SMBs on Uber Eats in London READ MORE: London's 'hardest pub to find' tucked away down beautiful hidden street READ MORE: London sweeps British Kebab Awards with 10 wins for top restaurants and takeaways Half Chicken (Manjaros) 6 Pieces Chicken Wings (Wngz) Roti Chicken (Roti King) Sweet & Sour Hong Kong Style (Fortune Cat) Char Kuey Teow (Roti King) Matthew Price Regional General Manager, Uber Eats, UKI & Northern Europe, said: 'Reaching our one billionth delivery in the UK and Ireland is a huge milestone, made possible by the hundreds of thousands of couriers and over 70,000 restaurants we partner with—many of them small businesses. "In fact, SMEs make up more than half of our restaurant partners across the country, and we're proud to help them grow by connecting them with new and loyal customers every day. As we look ahead to the next billion orders, we're excited to continue supporting local businesses, expanding our offerings beyond food delivery, and making sustainable choices more accessible to our restaurant partners and customers alike.' Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Kent takeaway named as UK's best in national kebab awards
A Gillingham takeaway has been named the best in the UK in a national kebab awards. Master Kebabs in Gillingham won the Best Regional Takeaway award at the British Kebab Awards 2025. The business first opened in 2011, with a menu of over 50 items ranging from traditional kebabs as well as burgers and cooked chicken dishes. This year marks the 13th year for the British Kebab Awards, celebrating the 'rich culinary heritage' and 'innovation' within the kebab industry. The awards ceremony took place on February 26 at Westminster's Park Plaza Hotel, with winners in over 25 categories and finalists from across the UK. But this isn't the first award the business has won, Master Kebabs won the award in 2018 and 2019 and again on consecutive years between 2021 and 2024 with this award marking the latest in a long line of awards won. Ibrahim Dogus, founder of the British Kebab Awards, said: 'The winners of the 2025 British Kebab Awards show the strength of the industry, with great restaurants, vans and takeaways in every corner of the nation. 'Chefs are constantly reinventing and refining the classic kebab, meaning there's something new from each one of this year's worthy winners. 'This year's winners represent everything that makes the British kebab industry special - diversity, quality, tradition, and innovation, and we're proud to be highlighting the leaders in this great industry."
