Kyeema Seafoods: Zac Langford says Fryed closure ‘raw’

A top Tasmanian seafood boss says he is proud of his attempt to convert a clapped-out takeaway shop to a 100 per cent gluten free and Aussie-caught fish and chippery, despite it only last nine months.

FRYED Fish & Chips has close for good after nine months of operation. Picture: Facebook

The owner of a short-lived fish and chip shop, who this week announced his store would not reopen after nine months in business, says he has learnt an “expensive lesson but still a good lesson”.

Zac and Kristy Langford, who took over Kings Meadows institution Kyeema Seafoods in September 2019 from Kristy’s dad and founder David Wilson, opened FRYED Fish & Chips on Hobart Rd last Easter.

FRYED, whose point of difference was a 100 per cent gluten-free and Australian-caught menu, took over from Mums Takeaway chicken shop.

The Langford’s idea to expand was hatched in mid-2021.

“We had dreams of building a purpose-built processing facility, but then with the Covid-related rise in the cost of building materials, we got cold feet a bit. So we thought, bugger it, let’s step sideways and look at fish and chips,” Mr Langford said.

Follow @humidityreport

The Langfords signed a lease at Mums with the intention of opening before Christmas 2021, but on closer inspection they realised much of the kitchen needed replacing, some of it due to wear and tear – like the rangehoods and rotten benches – some, like the deep fryers, because of the transition to gluten-free.

In its nine months of trade, FRYED earnt rave reviews.

“Love that I can get access to coeliac safe takeaway,” said one woman.

Kyeema Seafoods' Zac Langford. Picture: Facebook

“The best fish and chips in Launceston,” said another.

Mr Langford said Kristy has been unable to bring herself to read the reviews.

“They were just too raw, a bit confronting to read the positives,” he said.

It was during the approach to summer late last year, when the seafood business explodes, that Mr Langford said he and his wife “realised we’d bitten off more than we could chew”.

“The last month or two before FRYED’s closure, Kyeema had three shark boats fishing for us, there was a huge volume of fish, I was working early morning to late night just to keep it moving,” Mr Langford said.

“I was neglecting FRYED quite a bit, then neglecting Kyeema trying to go both ways, then I was neglecting my family in turn.

“I started to identify problems arising at FRYED that needed to be addressed by an on-site manager.

“The wheels weren’t falling off, we just weren’t where we wanted to be. It was a hard decision to close it but we wanted to end on a good note. It’s our name, at the end.”

Mr Langford said he had learnt an “expensive lesson but still a good lesson”.

He and Kristy will redouble their efforts to continue to grow Kyeema.

“Demand keeps growing, we try and sell as much as we can. And we do a bloody good job for the small space we’re in,” Mr Langford said.