Rick Stein Restaurants launches campaign to get Britain eating more types of fish

New data reveals that 60% of Brits say that fish and chips is their favourite way to eat fish with over half (57%) enjoying a chippy tea at least once a month, but almost half think it’s only ‘proper’ fish and chips if it features cod or haddock. To get Britain trying a wider variety of fish, Rick Stein Restaurants are inviting people to discover the unsung heroes of the sea with Forgotten Fish Fridays.

New research from OnePoll, commissioned by Rick Stein Restaurants, reveals that nearly two thirds of Brits say fish and chips is their favourite way to eat fish – with over half enjoying this iconic dish at least once a month – yet nearly half of Brits think it’s only a proper chippy tea if it features cod or haddock (47%). What’s more, 70% regularly consume five or fewer species of fish, despite 54% wanting to eat a wider variety than the ‘big five’ (tuna, prawns, cod, haddock, salmon). Taste is the primary factor influencing the types of fish we choose to eat, while only 5% consider seasonality when choosing fish.

In response to this data, Rick Stein Restaurants has launched Forgotten Fish Fridays. Throughout June and July, Forgotten Fish Fridays enables people to discover the delicious possibilities of lesser-known fish species, swapping cod for coley, haddock for pollack. The campaign also supports British fishing communities with donations to Fishermen’s Mission.

On the findings and launch of Forgotten Fish Fridays, Rick Stein says: “I’ve spent much of my life championing the incredible fish we have around the British coast, and through our restaurants I’m lucky enough to enjoy a wide variety of seafood every day. But many wonderful species are still overlooked, despite being abundant, delicious and perfect for everyday cooking. That’s why I’m delighted to support Forgotten Fish Fridays. Fish and chips is one of Britain’s great pleasures, and it feels like a simple, enjoyable way to encourage people to try something different.”

For Forgotten Fish Fridays, fish and chips at Rick Stein Restaurants will feature unsung heroes of the sea, such as coley, wrasse, pollack, whiting or pouting. At the group’s flagship The Seafood Restaurant, as well as Sandbanks, Winchester and Barnes, cod will be off the menu on Fridays throughout June and July. A seasonal catch of the day will be offered instead;battered, fried and served with the traditional accompaniments of chips, mushy peas, curry sauce and tartare sauce. At The Seafood Restaurant, Sandbanks and Barnes the Forgotten Fish and Chips is priced at £22, and in Winchester at £18. All sales include a £1 donation to Fishermen’s Mission. At Stein’s Fish & Chips in Padstow, Forgotten Fish and Chips is also celebrated, available daily to eat in or take away from £13. Furthermore, The Cornish Arms (St Merryn) is showcasing coley in their Forgotten Fish Burger, and Rick Stein’s Café (Padstow) is offering Forgotten Fish Curry with wrasse.

Founded in 1975 by Rick and Jill Stein, the Rick Stein brand has grown from a single seafood restaurant in Padstow into one of the UK’s most recognised hospitality groups. Family-run and family-owned, it is rooted in the fishing community both in Cornwall and across the UK and has always been proud to put the very best fish on its menus, front and centre and simply cooked.