NATIONAL FISH AND CHIPS DAY
Every year on the first Friday in June, residents of the United Kingdom celebrate one of the country’s most famous combinations of foods: fish & chips. Along with celebrating this delicious dish, National Fish and Chips Day raises funds for fishermen in the UK.
Fish & chips consists of fried fish in batter served with chips, which are similar to French fries in the United States. The dish originated in England in the 1860s. It’s believed that the origins of fish &chips stem from Jewish immigrants from Holland. These Jews were traditionally known for frying their fish in oil.
Throughout the years, fish & chips became a standard dish in the UK. In the 1930s, there were over 35,000 fish and chips shops. During the first and second World Wars, fish & chips were one of the few foods in the UK that weren’t rationed by the government. Winston Churchill thought that rationing these foods would have a negative impact on war morale.
Today, there are only about 10,000 fish & chips shops. Despite these dwindling numbers, the food is still very popular in the country. Fish & chips is popular in many other countries as well. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, South Africa, and the United States.
Fish & chips would not be possible without the many fishermen who work hard to bring in the catch. Unfortunately, each time these fishermen go out to see, they are putting their lives at risk. Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous occupations. Fisherman have a one in fourteen chance of being killed on the job. For this reason, organizations like the Fishermen’s Mission provides welfare and emergency funds for fishermen and their families.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFishAndChipDay
The best way to observe this day is to dine at a fish & chip shop and order this delicious dish. Even if you don’t live in the UK, you’re bound to find a pub or restaurant that serves fish and chips. Another way to participate is to make a donation to the Fishermen’s Mission.
NATIONAL FISH AND CHIP DAY HISTORY
The National Edible Oil Distributors Association (NEODA) founded National Fish and Chip Day in 2015. It was their desire to share their love of fish and chip, topped with a splash of vinegar, of course. Andrew Marriott, president of the NEODA stated that he wanted to “bring the whole industry together to celebrate and showcase the great British institution that is fish and chips.”
DATES:
3 June 2022
2 June 2023
7 June 2024
6 June 2025
5 June 2026
4 June 2027
2 June 2028
1 June 2029
7 June 2030
