British-Asian Brothers Make History with Prestigious Fish and Chips Award
The first British-Asian winners of the best fish and chips takeaway award have expressed immense pride in flying the St George's flag, celebrating the complex identity of modern Britain. Aman and Gavin Dhesi, the siblings behind The Scrap Box in York, clinched the coveted Takeaway of the Year title at the National Fish & Chip Awards, widely regarded as the industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
A Dream Realised for the Dhesi Brothers
The brothers described the honour as 'one every chippy dreams of', following in their father's footsteps by running a successful fish and chip shop. They are believed to be the inaugural non-white winners in this category, marking a significant milestone in the competition's history.
Aman Dhesi, a 36-year-old British-born Punjabi Sikh, shared his feelings with the Daily Mail, stating he is 'proud' to win because 'we're showing that the fact of Britain is complex, and so is fish and chips'. He elaborated on this sentiment, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the country.
'There's so much complexity about this country. I think people just need to look a bit more at its history, how we got here and the complexities that really make Britain what it is,' Aman said. 'I want to fly the St George's flag for that complexity. That's what makes Britain what it is.'
Fish and Chips as a Symbol of Modern Britain
For Aman, the national dish encapsulates what he cherishes about 'modern-day Britain'. He pointed out that while fish and chips is considered a quintessentially British meal, its components have global origins.
'Even though it's a British dish, what makes it up is global. It's the product of migration, trade, empire, working-class graft, and reinvention. I think that really represents modern-day Britain and we're proud of that,' he explained.
The history of fish and chips supports this view. Chips trace back to the 17th century in Belgium or France, while fried fish was introduced to Britain by Jewish refugees from Portugal and Spain around the same period. It is widely believed that one of the first fish and chip shops was established by a Jewish immigrant, Joseph Malin, in east London around 1860.
A Working-Class Dish with Diverse Roots
Aman noted that most of his fish now comes from Norway, emphasising the dish's working-class heritage. 'I think it's a working-class dish and working-class Britain is made up of so many people,' he continued.
'You've got white working-class families up and down the country that have carried the tradition of fish and chips for so long but then you've had a lot of immigrants that have come and moved into this industry. You had Italians and the Scottish who transformed the trade. Then you had the Chinese and Indian immigrants. My grandad came over in the 60s.'
The brothers view their award as a tribute to their parents' dedication. 'Winning this award is a testament to our parents and all the hard work they put in and will hopefully inspire more people to enter the awards next year,' Aman added.
From Public Toilet to Award-Winning Takeaway
Aman, 36, and Gavin, 33, triumphed at the 38th iteration of the UK's official fish and chip competition. They opened The Scrap Box a decade ago after a six-month renovation transformed an old public toilet block into a thriving takeaway.
'My dad had a chippy around 20 years ago and he still helps out now. He's here every morning at six prepping the fish,' Aman shared. 'My mum keeps everyone in check. All the staff and us are a bit scared of her and we like that. Me and my brother are a bit too fun sometimes, so we need someone a bit professional who's done it over the years too.'
Despite pursuing a traditional education in politics at university, Aman felt drawn to return and serve his home community. 'It's been a success from day one, so I've not even actually had a thought to change career yet. I still might one day but it looks like fish and chips have taken over my life now,' he admitted.
Traditional Methods and Menu Offerings
At The Scrap Box, a haddock and chips costs £10.95, while cod and chips is priced at £11.95. The menu features classic chippy items such as mushy peas, curry sauce, and a homemade tartare sauce.
Notably, the brothers use traditional beef dripping to fry their fish and chips, eschewing the more modern and cheaper vegetable oil commonly found in other establishments. This commitment to traditional methods has clearly paid off, earning them top honours in a fiercely competitive industry.
The National Fish & Chip Awards, which began in 1988, were held on Wednesday night at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, where the Dhesi brothers' achievement was celebrated as a landmark moment for diversity and culinary excellence.
