Diners’ fury as celebrity chef Rick Stein increases cost of condiments at his Cornwall fish and chip shop to £2 each amid UK ‘cost of dipping’ crisis with prices of popular sauces soaring by more than 50%
- TV star’s restaurant already charges £16.95 to sit down for a cod and chips
Diners were left furious after celebrity chef Rick Stein hiked the cost of condiments at his Cornwall fish and chip shop to £2 each, amid what is being called a ‘cost of dipping’ crisis.
The TV star’s restaurant in Padstow already charges those wanting to eat inside some £16.95 for a cod and chips and £18.95 for a sea bass meal.
Now those wanting to add some mayonnaise, tartare sauce or mushy peas to their dinner will have to fork out an extra £2 for each.
The price had held steady since 2020 but after rising ingredient costs, the chef felt he had to pass on the cost to customers.
It comes after analysis by the Liberal Democrats found that the price of popular sauces has soared by some 50% in just two years.
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Diners were left furious after celebrity chef Rick Stein (pictured) hiked the cost of condiments at his Cornwall fish and chip shop to £2 each, amid what is being called a ‘cost of dipping’ crisis
A 460g bottle of ketchup now costs £3.40 – a huge jump from the £1.75 it cost in the spring of 2021 while a 200g tub of hummus has gone up from £1.50 to £2.50.
Elsewhere, Colman’s mustard now costs £1.18 per 100g, up 44%, while Hellman’s Mayo and Mild Salsa prices have risen by 58% and 50% respectively, to 60p per 100g.
Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP told the Mirror: ‘Brits are facing a cost of dipping crisis this summer.
‘From ketchup and mayonnaise to hummus and salsa, the price of the country’s favourite dips has soared to eye-watering levels.
‘Families up and down the country are struggling with massive food bills. The Government’s response simply doesn’t cut the mustard.’
One visitor to Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips described it as a ‘disappointment’ to have to pay for extras, saying on TripAdvisor: ‘Having had excellent take away from here last year, we decided to treat some visiting friends to fish and chips in the restaurant – we were so disappointed.
‘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.’
Another said: ‘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.’
The TV star’s restaurant in Padsow already charges those wanting to eat inside some £16.95 for a cod and chips
One added: ‘When we paid the bill we discovered that the tiny pot of mushy peas was £2 extra, as was the tartar sauce as was the curry sauce.
‘Unfortunately I don’t think we will be returning!’
And another fumed: ‘Let down by….having to pay £2 for the tiniest pot of mushy peas…’
Rick’s chippie in Padstow is split into two with diners able to grab a takeaway or sit in and eat in a dining area and is so popular that long queues form almost every time it is open.
Those ordering a takeaway are charged a little less for their meal, with a cod and chips costing
Condiments are also slightly cheaper, with gravy, tartare sauce, mayonnaise, aioli, mushy peas, goan curry sauce, mango chutney and raita – made of mint and yoghurt – all priced at £1.75. It is 25p more expensive if they choose to sit down.
The sauces come in paper ramekins that measure about 1.5ins by 1.5ins.
The 76-year-old chef’s many businesses in Padstow have led to the area being renamed Padstein.
He owns 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.
The price of condiments had held steady since 2020 but after rising ingredient costs, the chef felt he had to pass on the cost to customers
He also owns the nearby Cornish Arms and Stein’s Gift Shop, a shop selling cookery equipment and knick-knacks.
On top of that he runs a cookery school in Padstow too.
Stein’s Fish and Chips opened in 2004.
It is not known when the price for condiments was increased, but in 2017 they cost £1.25.
A spokeswoman for Rick said: ‘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 sky rocketing costs, we have reluctantly, along with many others, had to pass on some of the costs to our customers’.
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