Dudley chippy bags national award

The fish and chip shop in Lake Street, Lower Gornal, has been given the award by Fry Magazine after entering a competition.

Staff at Nemo's were put under close scrutiny during months of tests and check-ups before it was deemed worthy of being named among the top 50 chip shops in the country, according to the trade magazine.

A mystery visitor from the magazine popped in to sample not just the food but also the customer service.

Bosses also had to answer a series of questions over the phone about the business that regulars customers would be expected to ask on a daily basis. The fish was also taken away and its quality inspected.

Experts from Fry Magazine were so impressed they felt the Lower Gornal chippy was worthy of a place in their top 50.

Sadly for West Midlands fish and chips aficianados, Nemo's was the only one in the region to appear on the list.

It represents a major achievement for the husband and wife duo who run the business, Jazz and Jazzy Johal, who have only been in the fish and chip industry for eight years.

Before that, Jazz worked for car firm Rover and wife Jazzy for Tata steel.

But far from feeling like fish out of water, the couple have quickly adapted to become the area's cod kings. They successfully went through various catering courses in order to learn everything they needed to in order to run a successful fish and chip shop.

Mrs Johal, aged 40, said: "It is a really good feeling.

"For someone to give us this feedback makes us feel like we are doing a good job.

"We were already five-star rated by Dudley's environmental team and have been for a number of years.

"We always try to keep a really good, healthy premises."

Mrs Johal said there were no nerves regarding the mystery diner, who visited at some point during the competition.

She said: "At first you are looking at everyone wondering if it is them but after a while you forget about it.

"But it just shows we are performing well all the time."