National chip week - Supporting the potato industry
Chips – they really are a British culinary icon! But far more importantly for the sector, they represent the largest singular use of GB crop for one product.
Not only that, chips account for one third of the entire crop produced in the UK and 10 per cent of the crop goes to fish and chip shops. Consumers also love to tuck into a portion and they’re the most dominant potato category in the foodservice sector. With statistics like that it’s hard not to see the value in supporting National Chip Week.
The Week, which runs from 9 to 15 February is expected to generate in excess of £2.75 million worth of coverage and this has a positive impact on sales. But this doesn’t just apply to the fish and chip shop sector, where two thirds of shops report a sales increase during and after the Week; retail sales of frozen chips also record a strong and consistent peak in February1 and many pubs and restaurants support the week with themed menus and events.
Keith Chegwin returns as the UK’s official ambassador for National Chip Week this year and as part of the national promotional campaign, he will be encouraging shops, consumers, retailers and chefs to take part in this much loved annual celebration. He will also be touring the country as part of the ’Perfect Portion Awards’.
These awards will recognise those that serve up a perfect portion of chips in nine different regions – whether its shops, restaurants or even mums! And that’s not all! Cheggers will also be handing out five special ’Keith Chegwin Perfect Portion Chip Awards’ in person and will perform his very own National Chip Week song for the lucky winners!
Nominations for the Perfect Portion awards will be accepted from 12 January until 01 February, just log onto www.lovechips.co.uk. Everyone who visits the site will also be able to download Keith’s chip tune and a dedicated ring tone.
Kathryn Race, Potato Council marketing director, said: "With Cheggers on board once again this year, National Chip Week 2009 is going to be a huge event and with industry support we can maximise sales across the entire sector.
"There are many simple ways to get involved and help National Chip Week create a greater impact, which will benefit the whole industry. Encourage shops to take part in the Perfect Portion awards, merchants and suppliers can also use our web-to-print resource to generate bespoke Chip Week posters to pass onto customers. There is artwork for on-pack stickers, as well as lorry stickers to display – all of which is available FREE on request by calling 01865 714 455.
