Arlesey fish and chips awarded first plaice

Arlesey Fish and Chips was voted the best chippy in Bedfordshire

Run by the Potato Council every year in recognition of Chip Week, the Choice Chip Awards champion the tastiest servings of chips across Great Britain.

This year a record number of 68,000 chip-loving Brits voted for their favourite chip shop out of 900 entrants across 10 regions.

Owner of Arlesey Fish and Chips, Dragan Marjanovic, 34, said: “Winning is a very big achievement for us. I couldn’t be more happy.

“I just want to say thank you to all the customers who voted. This award is as much for them as it is for me.”

Loyal customers, regulars and fans of Arlesey Fish and Chips voted in their masses, battering stiff competition from some of Bedfordshire’s top chippies to ensure their perfectly cooked portions were bagged first ‘plaice’.

Dragan moved to England from his native Serbia in 2007 and got married in the same year to wife Mirjana and they now have two children as well.

He has been the owner of Arlesey Fish and Chips since December 2011 and has always been an avid cook.

He said: “I always used to try and surprise my mum with lunches back in Serbia and my wife worked in a chip shop when I moved to England.

“In 2011 I made the decision to start my own business and put an emphasis on fresh food because the quality is so much better.

“The customers have been really friendly which has made my work much easier and I would love to win this award again for them next year.”

Dragan feels his connection with the people in Arlesey is what has been key to his success.

He said that although all of his family are still in Serbia he is very, very happy in England running his business.

Over 328 million portions of fish and chip meals are sold in the UK each year, and there are almost 700,000 tonnes of potatoes made into fresh chips in Great Britain every year – that’s 333 times heavier than the London Eye.

Kate Cox at Potato Council, said: “Here in Great Britain we are undoubtedly a nation of chip lovers and Chip Week is a fantastic celebration of our great British food tradition.

“Us Brits feel strongly about supporting our local chippy, so it’s no surprise so many people took the time to vote for their favourite in the Choice Chip Awards this year.”

Arlesey Fish and Chips is open every day of the week and the shop is situated on Arlesey High Street.