2019 is looking to be a big year for The Chip Group and for traders of New Zealand’s favourite fast food. Potatoes New Zealand and Chip Group has its biennial conference in Christchurch this year and will be presenting two big industry awards. The last few years have seen a snowballing of interest in the yearly People’s Choice Award, which is a popularity contest and then every two years, the Judges’ Supreme Award, which involves lab testing of fat content and mystery shopper judging.
The success of these campaigns became highly apparent at last September’s Chip Fest in Auckland, with over 500 businesses nominated for the People’s Choice Award and over 3000 New Zealanders voting for their favourites. Chip Fest was a fabulous and fun party for invited guests and culminated the next morning in a live-to-air segment on Breakfast Television with the winner, Steve Fair from Masterton’s Mr Chips. Steve was interviewed and filmed with his family, in a chip frying demonstration.
The exposure for the winner and regional finalists is well worth the time it takes to do the free training and also by following the method, QSR owners ensure they’re selling the best possible chips. CGBFP is funded by the Ministry of Health, with the goal of reducing fat content, salt content and serving size. This is best for the customer’s health, best for chip flavour, chip texture and best practice for a business, by saving money due to managing supplies sustainably.
Entry details will be on the Chip Group website. Entrants will need to have at least one staff member who has completed their Chip Group Best Frying Practice (CGBFP) training or done their refresher course by May 2019. The courses are free online and take around 30 minutes for the full course and 15 minutes for the refresher.
Any CGBFP food service provider who prepares and sells hot chips to the public is eligible to enter the competition. Chips will be sampled for fat content and the chip sample must be no more than 9 percent fat. Details of judging criteria will be finalised in April 2019. The Judges’ Supreme Award will be judged by an independent judging panel and the People’s Choice Award judged by text message/SMS and online voting.
Finalists will receive travel and accommodation to attend the Potatoes NZ Conference in Christchurch on 14th August, where the National Winners will be announced. Prize packages include free product, pavement signs, caps, aprons and certificates, not to mention the great publicity for the shop, restaurant or café. Most importantly New Zealanders will be eating healthier, tastier chips.
For more information please email info@potatoesnz.co.nz and remember to register interest at www.thechipgroup.co.nz/register
