Renowned Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has found himself in some hot water recently. His upscale eatery, Kerridge’s Fish and Chips, has come under fire from a customer who was less than impressed with his meal and took to social media to express his disappointment. The controversy has sparked a wave of public outrage and drawn attention to the high prices charged by high-end restaurants.
The meal in question was a plate of fish and chips, and it came with a hefty price tag of £37. This raised eyebrows, especially when you consider that you could buy 12 boneless cod fillets and a large bag of chips from Tesco for less. The dish was served at Kerridge’s Fish and Chips, located inside the luxury department store Harrods in London. Harrods is known for its extravagance, with dishes like Cornish brill with chips costing a staggering £52 and lobster reaching up to £80.
The menu at Kerridge’s described the £37 dish as ‘market day fish’ caught from day boats in Cornwall, coated in Kerridge’s gluten-free batter, and served with chips, Matson curry sauce, tartare sauce, and pease pudding. But the customer, Rob Boyd, didn’t feel that the description matched what he received. He took to social media to express his disappointment, saying, “THIRTY SEVEN POUNDS for this bland plate of fish & chips at Tom Kerridge’s in Harrods. NINE chips. NINE.”
Boyd’s tweet quickly went viral, with over two million people seeing it within days. Many people joined in with their criticism, calling the portion size a “rip-off” and describing the fish as “oddly flat.” Despite the negative feedback, some individuals found humor in the situation, joking about being “mugged” by the London prices.
This isn’t the first time Kerridge has faced criticism for the prices of his dishes. In the past, he faced backlash for selling £87 steak dinners and a £60 ready-made fish pie. However, Kerridge has always stood by the quality of his offerings, emphasizing the light and crisp gluten-free batter and the triple-cooked chips.
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this controversy comes at a challenging time for chip shops across the UK. Recent reports suggest that half of the country’s chippies could be at risk of closure by 2025 due to rising energy costs and supply shortages. In fact, a historic chip shop in Derbyshire recently announced its closure after serving customers for over six decades, citing the cost-of-living crisis as a significant factor.
As the controversy continues to unfold, both Harrods and Tom Kerridge have been approached for comment, but their responses are still awaited. This incident highlights the disparities in pricing within the restaurant industry and raises questions about the value of upscale dining experiences. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by chip shops across the UK.
