Knutsford's Hooked on the Heath named among best in country

Hooked on the Heath has been listed in the industry’s esteemed Fry Magazine’s annual top 50 for 2022/23.

Jubilant owner Craig Buckley said: “I’m over the moon. It is a great achievement without a doubt.

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“I want to say a massive thank you to our staff who all work really hard.”

Judges visited the Northwich Road shop anonymously several times.

Mystery diners scrutinised everything from cleanliness, food quality and value for money to staff knowledge, ease of ordering and social media presence.

Dad-of-two Craig prides himself on maintaining consistent high standards but says there is no single recipe for success.

The 36-year-old said: “There is no one thing, it’s lots of little details that add up.

“We buy the most expensive quality fish we can. We’ve got a batter recipe that helps us produce nice fish and chips.

“Customer service and packaging are very important.

“You’ve got to have all the elements singing and dancing in the right way. That’s the hard thing because there are so many variables.”

Aaron Morris, supervisor, and Craig Buckley, owner of Hooked on the Heath (Image: Hooked on the Heath)

Craig opened his first chippy when he was 21 and says it is painstaking attention to detail that is crucial.

“We serve lemon wedges with our fish which costs us around £80 a week,” he said.

“It’s the little touches we hope customers appreciate.”

Only the best quality ingredients are used.

“We get all our fish from Norway and Iceland where conditions are best for cod and haddock to grow,” said Craig.

“We buy frozen at sea fish.

“It is the most expensive premium product that most chefs prefer because all the flavour is locked in within four hours of being caught.

“We defrost it in a special way very carefully so the freshness is still there.”

Soaring costs are now posing a serious threat to many chip shops.

“Literally every area has gone up,” said Craig, who employs 15 staff. “We’ve had big costs which we don’t want to pass on to customers.

“Fish is up 90 per cent, gas and electric 80 per cent and oil 100 per cent, all within 18 months.

“Another big problem is the unfair VAT system facing fish and chip shops.

“We have all our big bills, wages, energy and raw materials yet we can’t claim back VAT on any of that.”

He fears many businesses could fold.

“We are lucky, we have a busy shop,” he said.

“We’re still seeing as many customers every week but we have noticed that they are spending less.

“Our margins have halved.

“We’ve won three awards in four years.

“To win this award now is even better because things are so hard.

“I’m overjoyed.”

Hooked on the Heath has a mobile chip van that can be hired for parties, weddings and functions.

The shop opened in 2019 and was a former public loo.

“We designed and planned the shop to be top quality,” said Craig, who has a one-year-old daughter Lillie and son, Freddie five, with partner Victoria.

“We spent a lot of money buying the best equipment.

“I’ve just signed a deal for £20,000 worth of sustainable packaging on branded boxes.

“It’s all good quality, holds the food well and stops it sweating or steaming.

“Our team are great and buy into what we’re trying to do.

“They all as passionate as me about making sure everything is always top quality.

“It is really tough, we’re open seven nights a week. You’re on your feet all day, it’s long hours.

“But we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love it.”