We loved Innovations 2025!
By Austen Dack
Innovations the chippy show for the Northwest returned to Bolton for 2025 and was better than ever! Over 70 exhibitors turned up to the Bolton FC Stadium recently to showcase their products and services to VA Whitley customers and the Fish & Chip Industry as a whole.
Customers attending were treated to a range on food samples, entertainment and advice from industry leaders during the daylong event as well as it being a great opportunity for networking and support.
Suppliers for packaging, oils & fats, frozen at sea fish, equipment, frying ranges tech frozen foods and more flocked in from across the UK and Europe to attend this trade show. The event was well attended by customers from across the VA Whitley trading area as well as attracting interest from potential new customers and suppliers.
Here at Chippy Chat & Isle of Ely Produce, we were once again out in force this time sampling the Agrico chipping variety Babylon to the thousands who turned out on the day. We were ably assisted by PG Chips who can supply fresh pre-cut chips to shops across the middle and upper areas of England. Duncrue were frying Babylon pre-cut samples all day and the reaction from the event was very good indeed!
Isle of Ely Produce have been promoting a Chip Ambassador role to promote the great British Chip in association with Agrico. The aim will be to carry on and extend the good work promoting chipping potatoes at their hugely successful open days, and through the ‘Field to Frier’ award.
The Chip Ambassadors have become part of an UK wide group of shop owners and fryers who will promote best practice for potato buying, storing, and of course frying. The chain will also include key growers too like A. L. Lee Farming Company, as IOE looks to nurture the relationships they have grown across the whole supply chain over the last forty years.
Oliver Boutwood Isle of Ely Produce Director said. “It was great for us to be at Innovations trialling Babylon via PG Chips. It is important for shops all over the UK to try for us to get the results we need for the trial.”
Alex Moore National Sales Manager for Agrico says: “It is nice to see Babylon going on tour and be tried by so many shops. We were very happy to see the variety tried across the UK and get the same positive results.”
Here at Chippy Chat we would like to send a massive thanks to all VA Whitley staff and management for putting on a great show and we look forward to 2027 for their next event!
If you would like to try Babylon and become a chip ambassador, please email austen@chippychat.co.uk
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