Chefs urged to pitch their chips against McCain's in Hand Cut Chip Challenge

07-Mar-2012 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 12:40 GMT

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McCain believes its Gastro Chips offer a viable alternative to homemade gourmet chips

McCain Foodservice is giving chefs who are proud of the hand cut chips they make for their menus to pitch them against their own Gastro Chips range to see how they compare in terms of taste, appearance and operational efficiency.

The chip manufacturer is so confident in the quality of its new product and that it will be of benefit to pubs, restaurants and hotels that it is encouraging chefs to come forward and pitch their own recipe and technique against that of its own in its Hand Cut Chip Challenge.

McCain developed the homemade style hand cut-look chips, which are sourced from British potatoes, following months of research and after it saw a gap in the market for a premium chip.

It believes its product not only offers consistent quality, but also enables a kitchen to save on preparation time and wastage produced by making chips from scratch.

Labour intensive

“Preparing quality chips from fresh potatoes and on a consistent basis, is very labour intensive, particularly when large volumes are involved,” said McCain Foods marketing manager Donna Rowbottom.

“Our study showed that for a kitchen to prepare and serve 12 batches of chips, the process takes just over three hours, while preparing the same amount of McCain Gastro Chips takes just over one hour. This a huge and potentially very valuable saving for any operator, particularly when considered over the course of one week or more.”

According to research undertaken for McCain, 85 per cent of diners would not return to a venue that served bad chips.

Rowbottom told BigHospitality she and her team had worked ‘to the point of obsession’ on creating the perfect chip with a homemade effect that was consistently of high quality. The product could also help boost profits - from a cost price of 43 pence per portion, there is potential for an 88 per cent profit when sold at £3.50.

"Great chips are integral to customers' meal experience, so it's vital that they're as good as they can be," Rowbottom said. "Gastro will allow caterers to serve premium chips on a consistent basis throughout the year and are a must have for foodie pubs, restaurants and hotels."

Do you think your chips can better McCain’s Gastro Chips? If you do, call the McCain Foodservice team on 0800 146573 and they’ll send a representative to your pub or restaurant to find out who's chips win the taste test.

To see the Hand Cut Chip Challenge video click here.