A former fish and chip shop employee has shared surprising insights into the popular British takeaway, revealing that chips are used to clean the oil after cooking battered products and that fried beef burgers are best avoided. Jordan Luxford, who worked at various chippies on the south coast of England, including Wimbledon, also highlighted the extensive preparation involved in preparing fish, chips, and sauces before opening time.
According to Luxford, the chips help remove smaller batter particles that cannot be removed by simply sieving the oil, ensuring that the oil remains clean and the chips are cooked with a crispy coating. While the former Wimbledon chef has no qualms about deep-frying traditional favorites like cod, haddock, and sausages, he advises customers to avoid fried beef burgers, recommending they opt for freshly cooked items instead.
To ensure freshness, Luxford suggests ordering items that are not displayed under the lights in glass cases and requesting fresh preparation if desired. The amount of preparation required for fish and chip shops is often underestimated, with shops dedicating hours to preparing potatoes and other ingredients for the Friday night rush.