Description

Shortlisted for Debut Food Book of the Year at the Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards 2024
Guild of Food Writers 2024 Finalist, Food Book of the Year
‘A lyrical, amiable and educational celebration of what may be our greatest achievement: the chippy.’ Stuart Maconie

Step inside and unwrap this deliciously entertaining look at Britain’s national dish.

There is a corner of every town and city in Britain where the air is tangy with vinegar and the scent of frying. Following the irresistible lure, Daniel Gray ponders the magic of chippies and the delights they have sprinkled among us for the last 150 years as he investigates the social – and sociable – history of fish and chips.

Travelling to chippies from Dundee to Devon via South Shields, Oldham, Bradford, Bethnal Green, the Rhondda Valley and more – Daniel Gray explores our fish-and-chip nation to show how chippies have helped emancipate women, promote equality for immigrants and shape local and national identity.

Whether you were raised eating scraps of Wolverhampton’s orange chips, London’s ‘wallies’ or Hull’s chip spice – even if you think you know whether tea, Vimto or dandelion and burdock is the best accompaniment – this mouth-watering book is as much about who we are as what we eat.

Publisher Review

'This is a lyrical, amiable and educational celebration of what, alongside The Beatles, Shakespeare and the NHS, may be our greatest achievement: the "chippy". Fair warning, it will make you very hungry.' Stuart Maconie, author of The Full English 'Daniel Gray writes with great humour and takes tender delight in the people he meets. His book is as warm and comforting as a bag of chips on a cold night.' Peter Ross, author of Steeple Chasing 'Light bite rather than a full fish supper, this is a delightful mix of travelogue and fish-flavoured fact, mixing social commentary with a lot of serious chip consumption. Good fun.' Annie Gray, author of The Kitchen Cabinet 'Daniel Gray is a master at finding the universal in the local and the profound in the so-called everyday. This book is a walk through the endless delights of being human, wrapped up or open.' Ian McMillan, author of My Sand Life, My Pebble Life 'As satisfying and tangy as a pineapple fritter after the swimming baths.' Harry Pearson, author of No Pie, No Priest 'Warm, wise and witty. Gray's uplifting prose ensures you won't just come away knowing your gribbles from your scrantions - you'll have a wider appreciation of just what it means to be human.' Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping 'A highly entertaining, historically nuanced account. Wonderfully atmospheric.' Andrew Martin, author of Yorkshire: There and Back 'An affectionate appreciation of a great British institution. As tasty as a fresh cod." Arthur Matthews, writer on Father Ted and Toast of London 'My three favourite things are fish, chips and Daniel Gray's poetic prose. The fact that he's now blended them makes me think he is writing books just for me. Buy this book. You'll want to eat it with salt and vinegar (sauce if in Edinburgh).' Charlie Baker, Comedian and TalkSport Presenter