Ten chip friers from around the country created a massive media frenzy, following their unveiling as the nation’s cheekiest new act – ‘The Chippie Dales’ – to mark the launch of National Chip Week (13-19 February 2006).

Photographers and film crews flocked to the launch to capture the Chippies strutting their stuff on film in a special catwalk show, following a nationwide search for cheeky chip friers to form the act.

British Potato Council (BPC) marketing executive, Caroline Evans, said: “National Chip Week is now in its fifteenth year and it always offers a fantastic opportunity for chip shops up and down the country to promote chips and boost sales.  This year we decided to get the Week off to a flying start by forming the very cheeky ‘Chippie Dales’!  Our seven chippies and three ‘chippettes’ have certainly enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame and have made their chip shop the talk of the town.”

Fifty-two year old chippie, Martin Baker of Francine’s Chip Shop in Plymouth found the whole experience exhilarating.  He said: “I’m getting a bit too old for this, but it’s been great fun and all the other Chippie Dales are a super bunch.  To celebrate National Chip Week we’re running a week of promotions with our local radio station, so being selected as one of the Chippie Dales is an extra bonus as it’s raised the profile of my shop even further!”

‘Chippette’ Bethan Salmon of Jacksons Supper Bar in Wilmslow was nominated by her boss as she’s such a good sport.  She said: “It was brilliant fun and I really enjoyed the day.  All the locals know that I was selected to be in the ‘Chippie Dales’ and I’m sure they’ll be popping by the shop to see how the day went – and to buy some chips!”

Caroline added: “The Chippie Dales have been super performers and got National Chip Week 2006 off to a flying start.  They have been great ambassadors for chip shops up and down the country and have helped us to celebrate chips in a slightly more cheeky way!”

For more information on National Chip Week, simply click onto www.lovechips.co.uk.

Date : 01-03-2006