HE may be set to chuck his final batch of chips into the fryer just before 9pm on Saturday, but the name associated with one of the Island’s most renowned fish and chip establishments will live on.
Gerry’s Fish Bar has been an institution in St Helier for more than three decades, with owner Gerry Paradiso set to step behind the counter for the final time this evening after selling his business.
The venue in Great Union Road, which features prominently in regular – and often heated – online discussions about where Jersey’s best “chippy” is to be found, was opened by Mr Paradiso in 1983.
After moving to the Island from his native Italy at the age of 15 in 1973 – and intending to stay for just three months – Mr Paradiso ran Angelo’s in New Street. The venue just happened to be over the road from the home of a girl from Madeira who’d caught his eye soon after arriving in Jersey, and five decades later Gerry and his wife Gloria are very much an item.
There may be fewer fish and chip emporia these days, but the dish remains popular, as anyone who’s joined the queue at Gerry’s on a Friday tea-time will testify.
“Lots of people still love their fish and chips, and we’ve been really busy since the pandemic,” Mr Paradiso said. “We’ve got three generations of customers now – some of them have been coming since I was at Angelo’s.”
Asked about the key to good chips, Mr Paradiso said it was important to vary the cooking method slightly depending on the potato season, as all his chips are made fresh from 25-kilo bags of local spuds.
There have been changes, with the challenge of attracting and retaining staff now greater than ever, and higher overheads leading to a cut in hours. Closing at 9pm means the back street location is a bit quieter than it was when drinkers would pile out of the Great Union pub – which shut almost a decade ago – after time was called and grab a bag of chips on the way home.
With long-standing manageress Stella Calisto also stepping back, retirement will allow a bit more time for leisure and travel for Mr and Mrs Paradiso, although the couple will continue to run their guest house Avoca Villa during the summer season.
The man whose name has been above the door for over 30 years confirmed that he has consented to the new owners retaining the old name, and after a week’s closure it is anticipated they’ll be frying again at Gerry’s Fish Bar in the week before Easter.
