Fish and chips is the nation’s favourite meal, satisfying hungry families for generations. Most people have a favourite ‘chippy’ just around the corner from their home and what is a visit to the seaside without enjoying a portion of fresh fish and chips on the beach or sitting down in one of the many fish restaurants with a good cup of tea, bread and butter and of course a portion of mushy peas. We take the delicious food for granted, but there is a Federation dedicated to training and looking after people in the fish frying industry to ensure we continue to enjoy the best fish and chips in the world!
The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) was established in 1913, when representatives from smaller organisations united into a single national federation, providing solidarity for fish friers as the industry grew. They have certainly achieved this aim throughout the years, not to mention during the times of war when the Federation liaised with Government officials to ensure that fish and chips were consistently available with price controls and emergency distribution plans in place. The NFFF have also ensured that fish friers have been well represented over the years on a variety of issues including Sunday opening and food labelling. They were also integral in working towards the introduction of the first recognised qualification for fish frying in 1993.
Today, providing training is something that the NFFF excel at. Open to everyone, not just members, the recently refurbished Training Academy in Meanwood, Leeds offers courses to suit all regardless of their level of experience. The three day course combines practical and theory training which ensures that the participant leaves fully equipped to run a successful fish and chip business. Studying everything from Health and Safety, VAT and other business knowledge, alongside hands-on training from the preparation to frying of both fish and potatoes and even learning about the sustainability of fish stocks, this is a very comprehensive course.
The one day course is an intensive 6 hours of mainly practical training in the preparation and frying of fish and chips. This course is most suitable for people with previous catering experience. Also on offer at the Training Academy is a Level 2 qualification for Food Hygiene and Health and Safety. The NFFF are able to deliver training at your own shop too.
The courses carried out in the state of the art premises are delivered by award winning trainers, and people from all around the globe have attended in order to learn how to cook quality fish and chips. The NFFF teach to best practice, giving new businesses the best possible start to achieve success.
The Training Academy is also a perfect venue for other businesses to utilise. It boasts lecturing facilities and a board room which companies can hire for meetings and conferences – with a fish and chip lunch included of course should they so wish! Or you can arrange a team building/networking day with a difference. Why not watch your staff battle it out in a fish and chip cook-off to see which team can cook the best lunch? Great fun in a safe environment, and of course everyone involved gets to enjoy the fruits (or should it be fish) of their labours!
As well as delivering first class training in their state of the art Training Academy, the National Federation of Fish Friers offers their members fantastic benefits. Following the same ethos as when the company was established in 1913, they support and protect members. They offer a 24hr service offering advice and legal support where necessary on subjects such as employment disputes, Health & Safety and tax investigations. There is an online database of downloadable documents, often saving members the expense of solicitor fees. All members appear on their iFish4Chips app which enables members of the public to search for fish and chip shops near to their location and this also shows if the shop is award winning – letting potential customers know that they are going to eat top quality fish and chips. Members are also able, should they choose, to try and achieve the NFFF Quality Award which is held for 2 years at a time. Each successful award recipient is able to display a certificate and sticker showing customers that they provide Quality Awarded fish and chips.
The NFFF are certainly striving to ensure our nation’s best loved dish continues to be as delicious as ever. Long may they ‘fry’ the flag for great British fish and chips!
If you are interested in the training courses at the NFFF Training Academy, the costs are as follows:
• 3 Day Training is £680.00 plus vat (£816.00 including vat). This includes a year’s free membership to the NFFF worth £191.00 for the first person, if a second person attends from the same booking the cost for them would be £480.00 plus vat (£576.00 including vat).
• 1 Day training course costs: 1 person pays £350.00 plus vat (£420.00 including vat)
• 2 people attending pay £525.00 plus vat (£630.00 including vat)
• 3-5 people attending pay £700.00 plus vat (£840.00 including vat)
• In shop training costs: Training for 6 hours practical delivery is £500.00 plus vat (£600.00 including vat) For up to a maximum of 4 members of staff at any one time.
For all enquiries on the Training Academy including the hiring of the facilities, please contact:
Helen Brook – Training and Qualifications Coordinator
Tel: 0113 2307044
Email: h.brook@federationoffishfriers.co.uk
For more information on the NFFF visit their website: www.federationoffishfriers.co.uk
