FISH AND CHIP fans can enjoy their favourite fast food knowing it is sourced sustainably – thanks to the successful Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for the award-winning Fochabers Fish Bar.
It is the first fish and chip shop in Moray to attain the certification – and only the sixth in Scotland to do so. Being MSC certified entitles the use of the ‘blue tick’ label on its cod – assuring customers that the fish has been caught using sustainable methods.
Darren Boothroyd has operated the business wife Ruth and their three daughters, Elise, Gemma and Katie, for just three years – but in that time the Fochabers Fish Bar has fast accumulating accolades.
It was voted Scotland’s No1 Fish and Chip Takeaway in the 2017 National Fish and Chip Awards, and the chippy is also a finalist in other categories including National Fish and Chip Takeaway 2017, Staff Training and Development Award and NFFF Quality Award Champion.
Daughter, Elise, 17, will also be attending the awards ceremony in January as the youngest ever contender for the Young Fish Frier of the Year award, while Fochabers also holds the prestigious National Federation of Fish Friers Quality Award.
Darren said: “We are thrilled to be the only chip shop in Moray to have MSC certification. We operate our business on strong old fashioned values such as honesty, quality, value for money and respect.
“Serving sustainable fish plays a big part in our environmental programme and compliments our conservational business ethos. We’ve always tried to source our fish responsibly so going for MSC certification seemed the obvious thing to do. It assures customers that the cod we serve is fully sustainable and means we can continue serving the food we love for years to come.”
George Clark, UK Commercial Manager at the MSC, added: “Congratulations to Fochabers Fish Bar who are doing their bit to protect the future of the oceans by selling MSC certified fish. We hope that their success will encourage other chippies in the area to follow their lead and offer their customers a sustainable choice.”