KAREN and Nicholas Pantling opened Chef’s Choice in Crediton’s High Street, on June 5, 25 years ago.

Karen and her parents moved to Crediton from Exeter in 1963 when her parents took over the shop then known as Sobey’s Grocery store.

Two years later they turned it into Sheila’s Wools, a Sewing Machine and Wool shop, which was opened by Gus Honeybun, from Westward Television.

In 1994, Karen’s parents retired.

Karen was an accomplished Chef, had been a Kitchen Manager for Devon Direct Services (Devon County Council), and also worked as a chef locally.

As the other Fish and Chip Shop in the town had closed, she and her husband Nicholas decided to open Chef’s Choice in 1995.

Nicholas had been in the Army with the Devon and Dorset Regiment and after three tours in Ireland left to work at Copplestone Slaughter house, later becoming a milkman in the Crediton area.

They now run the shop, with two full-time staff and one part-time, but have now during Coronavirus had to operate with reduced opening hours, mornings from 11.45am to 1.45pm and evenings from 4.30pm to 9.30pm.

They have a table in the doorway for customers to collect, not only fish and chips but items from the large menu of other food they serve.

Karen and Nicholas recently gave Age Concern Crediton £1 for every year that they have been open.

Age Concern Crediton runs a Fish Friday service, where Age Concern volunteers collect more than 40 meals of fish and chips from the Chef’s Choice to take to clients.

Karen and Nicholas thank all their customers for their support, especially in this time of Lockdown.

MT