Rick Stein slammed for 'greedy' extra charge on condiments at his posh chippy

14 September 2023 , 09:51

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The prices have soared due to ingredient costs (Image: SWNS)

There's nothing better than treating yourself to an iconic British chippie takeaway. A true British staple, fish and chip shops can be found almost anywhere in the country, but one town has been left confused by the extortionate prices of their local chip shop.

Stein's Fish & Chips in Padstow, Cornwall, opened by popular TV chef Rick Stein, has left diners in fury at the expensive prices on the menu. Dubbed as the "cost of dipping crisis" locals were in shock to realise not only is the food extortionate, they will have to fork out £2 for condiments too.

Disgruntled locals are unimpressed with prices that already start at £16.95 for a cod and chips and £18.95 for a sea bass meal and additionally expected to pay £2 each for condiments such as mayonnaise or tartare sauce. The 75-year-old's chippie has left people feeling "disappointed" over the sky-high battered fish prices.

The angry customers took to Tripadvisor to express their rage, as one visitor wrote: "Having had excellent takeaway from here last year, we decided to treat some visiting friends to fish and chips in the restaurant - we were so disappointed." Not happy about the rising costs, they added: "On top of the £16 for cod and chips, you were expected to pay an additional £2 for condiments such as tartare sauce or mayo."

The price of the sauces has soared over the years, as it's reported the condiments cost just £1.25 in 2017, but the celebrity chef defended his decision after rising ingredients costs forced him to hike prices. Although customers know the high-end chippie will naturally be a little more expensive, they were shocked to find out how much it really was.

'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'

Another customer fumed: "I was quite excited to be eating at Rick Stein's Fish & Chip shop so wasn't surprised that it was going to be expensive fish and chips but as long as I perceive value I don't mind the cost. However, £35 for haddock & chips was fairly expensive. The cost isn't really the main course but in the extras and condiments," while another jibed: "You ask for some ketchup and need a mortgage."

The chip shop is split into a restaurant where customers can sit and dine in, as well as a takeaway for those who want something on the go. The takeaway prices are a little cheaper, and condiments are 25p cheaper - with gravy, tartare sauce, mayonnaise, aioli, mushy peas, curry sauce, mango chutney and raita – made of mint and yoghurt, all priced at £1.75.

According to The Times, Stein's representatives defended the price increases, and said that it was due to inflation, which had forced him to act on it. They explained: "Our homemade condiments using Rick Stein's special recipes are prepared in Padstow by our team of chefs. Food inflation, energy costs, along with rising wages, has driven up the cost of production significantly.

"We have held our condiment prices since 2020, but with skyrocketing costs, we have reluctantly, along with many others, had to pass on some of the costs to our customers," they added. Rick Stein also owns a number of other restaurants in the area, such as The Seafood Restaurant, St. Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein's Cafe, Stein's Fish & Chips, the Seafood Bar and Fishmongers and Ruby's Bar, all in the fishing port and all popular with tourists and locals.

Niamh Kirk