McCain and Alison Hammond Launch Free Chip Pop-Up in London

Megan Turner • November 6, 2026 • 3 min read

McCain and Alison Hammond launch a free chip pop-up in London, offering over 1,000 flavor combinations until November 8.

McCain has teamed up with TV presenter Alison Hammond to launch CHIP, a free pop-up restaurant in London dedicated entirely to chips. The four-day event, running until November 8, offers over 1,000 flavor combinations inspired by food trends from the 1990s to today. Hammond expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “I’m so excited to be teaming up with McCain to create The National Treasure. We’re putting chips centre stage and celebrating all the delicious ways you can enjoy them.” She added: “Whether you like to keep it traditional or fancy trying something a little different, there’s plenty to get your taste buds excited! And the best bit? You can come along and try it all for FREE!”

A menu of nostalgia and trends

Located at 2 Westgate Street in London Fields, the pop-up lets visitors customize McCain chips with toppings, seasonings, and sauces. The menu blends nostalgic flavors like truffle oil and balsamic glaze with modern trends such as matcha, gochujang, and pickle vinegar. Each dish reflects the evolution of culinary trends, offering a unique taste experience that spans decades.

Hammond created a signature dish, The National Treasure, featuring garlic butter, hot honey, and Everything Bagel Seasoning. Her dish exemplifies the pop-up’s mission to raise chips from a simple side to a culinary centerpiece.

Other creations include Pomme de Terre, a 1990s-inspired dish with truffle oil, porcini mushroom dust, and rosemary sea salt, and Fall Fries, combining pumpkin spice, salted caramel, and a cinnamon-sugar swirl. These dishes highlight the versatility of chips, transforming them into gourmet creations.

For those leaning into trends, The Po-TEA-to blends matcha, miso, and yuzu, while Chip-kle features pickle vinegar, garlic butter, and Himalayan pink salt. These innovative combinations cater to adventurous palates and reflect the influence of social media on food trends.

A celebration of chips’ enduring appeal

The event, attended by social media personalities like Joe Baggs, Jack Remmington, Bemi Orojuogun, and Alex Haddon, highlights chips’ role in evolving food culture. Laura Koscik, McCain’s marketing director, noted, “Chips have been a constant on our plates through decades of changing food culture. At CHIP, we’re putting this much-loved icon centre stage and inviting people to rediscover their love of chips – whether that means returning to a nostalgic favourite, trying a cult flavour or creating a combination that is entirely their own.”

McCain, claiming to produce one in four chips worldwide, aims to celebrate this staple while exploring its modern relevance. A survey by Pollara Strategic Insights found 30% of British consumers prefer French fries over roast or mashed potatoes, with 24% favoring roast potatoes and 12% mashed potatoes. The survey, conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights between 26 January and 15 February 2026, questioned 1,003 UK residents. This research shows chips’ status as a British favorite, driving the campaign’s focus on celebrating this beloved dish.

The pop-up is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. until November 8, with free entry, chips, and merchandise available while supplies last. Walk-ins are welcome, and visitors can experiment with flavors or revisit classics, making it an inclusive and engaging experience for all.