Ullapool Delicasea chippy boss shares his 'secret to success' after national award win
A multi award-winning chippy in Wester Ross has shared their ‘secret to success’ after their major national win.
Delicasea Fish and Chips on West Shore St in Ullapool won Best Fish Supper for North at the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards on November 13.
David Mackenzie, who co-owns the chippy with his wife Mairi, also saw the business named as one of the best five chippies in Scotland in the Sunday Times.
Mr Mackenzie said: “We took over the business sixteen years ago, and the business was pretty much on its knees and run-down having lost the bulk of its trade. But we slowly managed to turn it around. We invested a lot of money into it pre-pandemic, putting in new floors, new walls, rewiring, new plumbing, a new frying range which was definitely the turning point.
“When we started it was just myself and Mairi, and a few part time staff. Now we’ve currently got thirteen members of staff, and we’re managing to keep them on all winter which will put money into the local economy which we feel is very important. I can’t offer accommodation like the hotels do, so we have all-local employees.
“After our feature in the Sunday Times, we had a couple come up from Aviemore specifically for our fish and chips. We even have a couple from the south coast of England who come to Kinlochbervie every year for Christmas who always make a point of coming to see us.”
Discussing what Delicasea’s secret to success is, he said: “We’ve always worked on the foundation of quality and consistency in all aspects of our business, not just what you put out on the counter. The quality of the equipment, of the premises, it’s all in the mix. Everything we sell is also cooked to order, nothing is left lying around. The service is also really important. In lockdown we were very quick to start a delivery service.
“Building a reputation takes time, you have to be consistent.”
