Monica and Steve Fair, owners of Mr Chips in Masterton. PHOTO/ELI HILL

ELI HILL

eli.hill@age.co.nz

Masterton takeaway shop Mr Chips has scooped the People’s Choice Best Chips award for the third consecutive year at the 2019 Chip Group Industry Awards.

Owners Steve and Monica Fair received 26.2 per cent of the 7791 votes, battering their competition.

The couple were presented with their award in Christchurch’s Town Hall.

Their secret, Monica said, was “good service, good quality, and looking after people”.

Steve said the pair were surprised to win for a third time after experiencing stiff competition from Rotorua’s Oppies, which received a similar number of votes.

“I don’t think people vote for us just because of how good our chips are, but because of our smorgasbord too. People vote for us for the accolade of winning.”

The couple buy premium 13 millimetre cut agria potato chips from Mr Chips in Auckland.

“As an operator we want something that’s really good to go. These are the best chips they do, and we don’t charge extra.

“We also try to source stuff locally like our eggs, and we buy our buns from Breadcraft.”

Three fulltime staff and four casual staff all chip in to produce the food including the 38 dishes on Mr Chips smorgasbord.

While the couple appreciate the recognition the award brings, Steve said it can occasionally be hard to maintain the personal relationship with customers when there is a line outside the door.

“Some of the local customers have to wait a little longer on some of the years we’ve won. You can see the frustration on their faces. They just want their scoop of chips but there’s a line outside the shop.”

Despite this, Steve said they managed to get their food to customers in a timely manner 90 per cent of the time.

“People are prepared to wait if it’s good. You just can’t compromise your food, and just push it out for the sake of it.”

Above all the couple wanted to thank their customers for their support in achieving the award for the third time.