Latest news with #SarahHeward
Scotsman
5 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Award winning chippy shares secret for 'perfect' fish and chips
But if you've ever wondered how to get the perfect golden fried fish and crispy chips, then one Scottish chippy owner has shared her secret. Sarah Heward, owner of The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, has shared her secret for creating the perfect fish supper - and it's all about attention to detail. Regularly featured in 'Best Of' lists as one of Scotland's favourite chippies, and a seven times winner in the National Fish & Chip Awards, The Real Food Café' is known for its quality, care and sustainability. It's also famed for its gluten-free fish and chips, with some customers making a 500-mile round trip to enjoy them, a testament to the restaurant's iconic status as one of the go-to places for an exceptional fish supper and its inclusive menu. How to make 'perfect' fish and chips Picture: Real Food Cafe Here's what Sarah says makes the ultimate fish and chips. 'Fish and chips might sound simple, but making a truly outstanding chippy is anything but. It's all about layers of detail. The Real Food Café only uses MSC-certified, sustainably sourced fish. "Once prepped and portioned, it's carefully layered in a Fish Fridge, no more than two or three fillets deep, ready for frying. 'Our signature light, golden batter is made with chilled water. The cold temperature causes the wheat proteins to expand, and when the batter hits the hot oil, it explodes, creating that crisp, airy texture you want – nobody likes a soggy fish and chips! "We also use a specialised batter-whisking machine to keep the consistency just right. 'But the chips matter just as much. Ours are made fresh daily, sometimes up to a quarter of a tonne. "When the tatties arrive, we test them for sugar content because too much sugar means chips that fry too dark. We rumble 25kg of potatoes at a time, eye them by hand and chip them in a machine that can process a full sack in about 20 seconds. 'Cooking times are constantly adjusted throughout the year for variations in potato and wheat crops. Once it's all cooked, we finish with the final secret ingredients: salt, vinegar, and a generous serving of love.' The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum has been going strong as one of the best places to stop for a bite to eat for almost 20 years and it all came about after Ms Heward took over the site after chancing upon an advert for the then-derelict premises while working in the City. She and her husband decided to snap up the former Little Chef and move up north, seeking a better work-life balance and feeling that they could 'do something better than the previous occupiers'. After a 'very rudimentary patch-up job', including filling the holes in the roof, the cafe opened its doors for the first time in April 2005, timed to capitalise on the key summer trading period. 'We did that, and that was really the start of the journey [but] over the years there's been a huge number of challenges, both personal and professional.' These include the sudden death of her husband, who had planned to work as a consultant in Aberdeen in the oil industry when they moved to Scotland but took an active role in the café. But she persisted, and the business, which benefits from its location on the West Highland Way, started picking up awards including for their fish and chips.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Award winning Scottish chip shop shares secret that draws customers from miles away
Fish and chips are in news this week as National Fish and Chip Day is celebrated on Friday, June 6. Fish and chips remain a beloved staple of British cuisine, perfect for a day by the seaside, a cosy film night, or a pick-me-up after a night out. This week, the humble chippie gets its moment in the spotlight as National Fish and Chip Day is celebrated on Friday, June 6. With over 10,000 fish and chip shops across the UK, Scotland boasts its fair share of popular outlets, including The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, about 60 miles north of Glasgow. A regular on 'best of' lists and a seven-time winner at the National Fish and Chip Awards, the café is famed for its gluten-free fish and chips, attracting customers who sometimes travel 500 miles round trip for a taste, Scottish Daily Express reports. Owner Sarah Heward shares the secret to creating an outstanding fish and chip meal, emphasising the importance of attention to detail. "Fish and chips might sound simple, but making a truly outstanding chippy is anything but," she explains. "It's all about layers of detail. The Real Food Café only uses MSC-certified, sustainably sourced fish. Once prepped and portioned, it's carefully layered in a fish fridge, no more than two or three fillets deep, ready for frying." Sarah also highlights the science behind the perfect batter: "The batter must be made using chilled water. "The cold temperature causes the wheat proteins to expand, and when the batter hits the hot oil, it explodes, creating that crisp, airy texture you want – nobody likes a soggy fish and chips! We also use a specialised batter-whisking machine to keep the consistency just right." When it comes to the chips, The Real Food Café goes through a quarter of a tonne daily, with each potato carefully inspected. Sarah adds, "When the tatties arrive, we test them for sugar content because too much sugar means chips that fry too dark. "We rumble 25 kilograms of potatoes at a time, eye them by hand and chip them in a machine that can process a full sack in about 20 seconds. "Cooking times are constantly adjusted throughout the year for variations in potato and wheat crops. Once it's all cooked, we finish with the final secret ingredients: salt, vinegar, and a generous serving of love." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Fish and Chip Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday in June to honour this iconic British dish. In other news, Scotland's cheapest city for a chippy tea has been revealed, much to the delight of hungry Dundonians. According to a new nationwide ranking by WDW Bingo, Dundee ranks as the third most affordable city in the UK for a portion of fish and chips, with an average price of just £9.47. Glasgow comes in at tenth place, where the average cost is £10.37. Aberdeen and Edinburgh follow closely behind, with prices at £10.67 and £10.93 respectively, proving that while fish and chips remain a classic, prices can vary significantly across the country.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I run an award-winning chippy in Scotland – here's where loads of fish & chip shops get it all wrong
Some customers even make a 500-mile round trip just to try the scran OH MY COD! I run an award-winning chippy in Scotland – here's where loads of fish & chip shops get it all wrong Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN award-winning Scots fish and chip shop owner has revealed the secrets to the supper. Sarah Heward opened The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, in the Highlands, in 2005. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Real Food Cafe, in Tyndrum, Crianlarich, opened in 2005 Credit: Alamy 3 Its fish suppers are top class Credit: Steve Welsh 3 Owner Sarah Heward revealed the secret to the perfect fish supper Credit: John Kirkby She transformed it from a run-down Little Chef to an iconic roadside diner serving thousands of punters each year. The eatery sits on the A82, halfway between Glasgow and Fort William, and is the perfect spot to refuel. The menu boasts all the usual chippy classics like burgers, battered sausages and fish suppers, as well as more unusual dishes like fish chowder and plant-based Tofish suppers. As a Coeliac UK-accredited caterer, The Real Food Cafe also offers a gluten-free menu, drawing some customers to make a 500-mile round trip just to try it. It regularly appears on 'Best Of' lists as one of Scotland's favourite chippies and has scooped the National Fish & Chip Awards seven times. Sarah also shared her top tips for making the ultimate fish and chips. The eatery prides itself on using 'only proper raw ingredients' and local produce. According to Sarah: "Fish and chips might sound simple, but making a truly outstanding chippy is anything but. It's all about layers of detail. The Real Food Cafe only uses MSC-certified, sustainable sourced fish. Once prepped and portioned, it's carefully layered in a Fish Fridge, no more than two or three fillets deep, ready for frying." There's also a secret behind their perfect batter. Sarah said: "Our signature light, golden batter is made with chilled water. The cold temperature causes the wheat protein to expand, and when the batter hits the hot oil, it explodes, creating that crisp, airy texture you want - nobody likes a soggy fish and chips! We also use a specialised batter-whisking machine to keep the consistency just right. Gerwyn Price's fish and chip shop as former world darts champion shows Sky Sports presenter his side hustle And the chips deserve attention as well, achieving perfection is crucial. Sarah added: 'But the chips matter just as much. Ours are made fresh daily, sometimes up to a quarter of a tonne. When the tatties arrive, we test them for sugar content because too much sugar means chips that fry too dark. We rumble 25kg of potatoes at a time, eye them by hand and chip them in a machine that can process a full sack in about 20 seconds. 'Cooking times are constantly adjusted throughout the year for variations in potato and wheat crops. Once it's all cooked, we finish with the final secret ingredients: salt, vinegar, and a generous serving of love." We told previously how Scotland's best fish and chip shop has been crowned in this year's takeaway awards. And a fish and chips fan who spent more than year visiting 120 chippies across the UK has revealed his top five.
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New fully accessible toilet for A82 hub following campaign
The project was made possible thanks to a major award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with further funding support from the Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and Forth Valley & Lomond Community Led Local Development fund. The campaign to build a CPT in Tyndrum was launched by Sarah Heward, founder and co-owner of The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, after her father became ill and died from a degenerative neurological illness. Changing Places Toilets are for disabled people and those with life-limiting conditions, their families and carers, for whom a standard accessible toilet is not adequate to meet their needs. READ MORE: Until the opening of the CPT, there were no suitable facilities for disabled people in an area of the West of Scotland the size of Wales. Geographically, Tyndrum is a strategic hub in Scotland, with millions of vehicles passing through the village each year. The Green Welly Stop provided not only the land required for the facility free of charge but also all management and care of the facility to ensure it is well-maintained for those in need. Commenting on the opening, Ms Heward said: 'We were extremely fortunate to have been awarded the funding necessary to build the facility in Tyndrum, after so many years of campaigning and fundraising; this Changing Places Toilet will be transformational for those who need it. 'There were so many obstacles to building this facility in Tyndrum, starting with access to suitable land, so we were incredibly grateful that Edward and Fiona Robertson, Owners of The Green Welly Stop, came forward with the offer of a plot to build it, without which the project wouldn't have happened.' The Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum (Image: Google Maps) 'The financing to date has come largely from the UK Government via Stirling Council, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority and Forth Valley and Lomond Community Led Local Development Fund. 'It has not been an easy campaign to manage and has been extremely disheartening at many points. However, our small community-based charity remained focused on our vision of building a CPT in Tyndrum, and today really is a testament to what can be achieved through community coming together with a strong vision.' Kim Kemp, member of the Tyndrum Infrastructure Group and a Changing Places Toilet user, added: 'No one wants to go on a day out knowing that they will have no access to toilet facilities, particularly families who have a child with a complex disability. Now that the Changing Places Toilet has opened in Tyndrum, people will be able to enjoy days out in one of Scotland's most beautiful tourist spots and travel through the Highlands.' The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government's commitment to communities, allocated £4.3 million to Stirling Council to distribute to local groups and businesses. In total, 29 projects across Stirling have now received financial support, delivering a wide range of benefits to communities. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: 'The opening of this Changing Place Toilet is a major achievement for the local community and is the result of their hard work and perseverance over a number of years. 'The new facility will allow people with complex disabilities and those who care for them to visit this stunning part of Scotland without anxieties about accessing appropriate toilet facilities.' 'It's fantastic to see the funding being used for such an important project that will make a real difference to local people and visitors alike and ensure opportunities are available to all. 'Congratulations to everyone involved for completing this project, with the facility now available for visitors from all the world to use as we enter the peak tourist season.' The Changing Place Toilet at the Green Welly Stop will be open seven days a week from 7am to 10pm. For more info, visit:
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New toilets open up Stirling - and Scotland's - tourism and scenery to disabled people
Until the opening of the Changing Places Toilet in rural Stirling this week, there were no suitable facilities for those with disabilities in an area the size of Wales. Locals in Tyndrum have opened up the wonders of Scotland to more people with disabilities thanks to a seven year campaign to build a Changing Places Toilet in the village. Tyndrum Infrastructure Group (TIG), in collaboration with The Green Welly Stop, has officially opened the facility at The Green Welly Stop. Until the opening of the CPT this week, there were no suitable facilities for disabled people in an area of the West of Scotland the size of Wales, preventing disabled people from travelling to the West Coast or taking a day out with the same level of dignity and comfort enjoyed by the rest of the population. The project was made possible thanks to a major award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with further funding support from the Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and Forth Valley & Lomond Community Led Local Development fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government's commitment to communities, allocated £4.3 million to Stirling Council to distribute to local groups and businesses. The campaign to build a CPT in Tyndrum was launched seven years ago by Sarah Heward, the founder and co-owner of The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, after her father became ill and died from a degenerative neurological illness. Changing Places Toilets are for disabled people and those with life-limiting conditions, their families and carers, for whom a standard accessible toilet is not adequate to meet their needs. Geographically, Tyndrum is a strategic hub in Scotland with millions of vehicles passing through each year. The Green Welly Stop kindly offered to provide not only the land required free of charge but also all management and care of the facility to ensure a well-maintained facility for those in need. Sarah said: 'We were extremely fortunate to have been awarded the funding necessary to build the facility in Tyndrum, after so many years of campaigning and fundraising; this Changing Places Toilet will be transformational for those who need it. 'There were so many obstacles to building this facility in Tyndrum, starting with access to suitable land, so we were incredibly grateful that Edward and Fiona Robertson, owners of The Green Welly Stop, came forward with the offer of a plot to build it, without which the project wouldn't have happened. 'The financing to date has come largely from the UK Government via Stirling Council, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority and Forth Valley and Lomond Community Led Local Development Fund. 'It has not been an easy campaign to manage and has been extremely disheartening at many points. 'However, our small community-based charity remained focused on our vision of building a CPT in Tyndrum, and today really is a testament to what can be achieved through community coming together with a strong vision.' Kim Kemp, Member of the Tyndrum Infrastructure Group and a Changing Places Toilet user said: 'No one wants to go on a day out knowing that they will have no access to toilet facilities, particularly families who have a child with a complex disability. 'Now that the Changing Places Toilet has opened in Tyndrum, people will be able to enjoy days out in one of Scotland's most beautiful tourist spots and travel through the Highlands.' The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government's commitment to communities, allocated £4.3 million to Stirling Council to distribute to local groups and businesses. In total, 29 projects across Stirling have now received financial support, delivering a wide range of benefits to communities. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: 'The opening of this Changing Place Toilet is a major achievement for the local community and is the result of their hard work and perseverance over a number of years. 'The new facility will allow people with complex disabilities and those who care for them to visit this stunning part of Scotland without anxieties about accessing appropriate toilet facilities. 'It's fantastic to see the funding being used for such an important project that will make a real difference to local people and visitors alike and ensure opportunities are available to all. 'Congratulations to everyone involved for completing this project, with the facility now available for visitors from all the world to use as we enter the peak tourist season.' The Changing Place Toilet at the Green Welly Stop will be open seven days a week from 7am to 10pm. Please refer to for seasonal time changes.
