France’s best chip shops of 2022 have been announced on website les-friteries.com and yet again, it is Nord-Pas-de-Calais that sweeps the board.
First place goes to the Friterie Hersinoise, in Hersin-Coupigny, in the Pas-de-Calais; Chic Frites, in Dunkirk, in the Nord, takes second place; and in third place is competition newcomer the Friterie du Parc, in Grenay, in the Pas-de-Calais.
Friterie du Parc manager Kim, 51, who has been in the industry for 26 years, was delighted with the win, a first for his restaurant. “It’s a bit like my own work medal, a kind of recognition,” he told French newspaper Vingt Minutes.
But like many in the industry, Kim has found the last few months difficult thanks to the cost of living crisis. As well as rising fuel prices, he has seen other costs soar too. “Mayonnaise has increased from €11 to €22 per five litres, beef fat from €13 to €27. Even my mystery ingredient has increased, but I will not say what it is, I will take this secret to the grave,” he said. But he’s coping, he says, and even though he has to put his prices up, a cone of fries – the third best in France, if you will! – will still only set you back €2.50. Délicieux!