According to a recent report from wholesaler Bidfood, 54% of consumers are interested in trying ‘unique’ dishes when dining out.
The idea was brought to life at NSC’s recent Inspiration Day in London, where National Fish & Chip Awards winners joined sector experts for a day of practical inspiration, insight and discussion around the challenges and growth opportunities affecting the fish and chip sector.
The programme explored key topics including sustainability, experience sharing, marketing and menu development, before concluding with a reception at the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence.
As part of the programme, Michelin-starred chef Simon Hulstone demonstrated street-food-inspired Norwegian whitefish recipes designed to complement existing menus and help operators create new menu occasions in response to changing consumer expectations.
Dishes included crispy haddock hotdogs; poppadom-encrusted saithe; and nori-wrapped tempura cod.
NSC says the dishes showed how simple formats, global flavours and existing kitchen equipment can help fish and chip shops explore new dishes without moving away from their core offer.
“Fish and chips will always be rooted in UK tradition, but the way people eat out is changing. Street-food-style menus and global flavours are influencing what customers expect, creating a clear growth opportunity for fish and chip shops,” says Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK director at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
“Through this chef-led inspiration, we want to show how Norwegian whitefish can help operators respond to those changes in a practical way. It’s not about replacing the classic fish supper, but giving customers more reasons to visit while keeping quality, provenance and value at the heart of the offer.”
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, which collaborated with Seafood from Norway on the Inspiration Day, added: “Creative specials and limited-time dishes give fish and chip shops a useful way to test new ideas, build customer interest in-store and online, and keep the category moving forward without losing sight of what makes fish and chips special.”
The NSC is a state-owned company that acts as the global marketing, communications, and market intelligence arm for Norway’s seafood industry.