Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shocked diners at a British coastal chippy after dropping in for dinner after a lecture.
After presenting the annual South Shields Lecture with former local MP David Miliband on Friday, the former first lady lingered at Colmans restaurant for two hours.
The co-owner of the chippy, Richard Colman Ord, 29, said it was’surreal’ to welcome the famed politician to his 100-year-old seaside family-run shop.
He said he knew she’d be eating at the restaurant in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, but it “wasn’t every day that Hillary Clinton pops into your restaurant.”
Mrs Clinton, who was escorted by several secret service personnel, ate crab salad as an appetizer and then customary £12.95 cod and chips before posing with staff and visitors, according to Mr Colman Ord.
‘She had a terrific time,’ he added. She was incredibly friendly and accommodating to all of the guests and employees.
‘She had a local crab salad to start and then had our classic fish and chips, and she loved the tartar sauce so much she had seconds.’
He added: ‘We didn’t charge them for the meal, as it’s something we do every year with David Miliband, but our crab on toast is £12.95 and our classic cod and chip is £12.95 too.’
Mr Miliband ate the same meal as Mrs Clinton.
At around 8 p.m., Hillary Clinton arrived at Mr. Colman Ord’s fish and chip shop, which usually hosts guests from the annual South Shields Lecture.
‘I did know she was coming. David Miliband is our ex-MP for South Shields. Every year we work with him as he puts on the annual lecture,’ he said.
‘Hillary Clinton very kindly agreed to do it and came to South Shields, which was incredible as she’s one of the biggest names we’ve had.
The co-owner of the chippy, Richard Colman Ord, 29, said it was’surreal’ to welcome the famed politician to his 100-year-old seaside family-run shop.
He said he knew she’d be eating at the restaurant in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, but it “wasn’t every day that Hillary Clinton pops into your restaurant.”
Mrs Clinton, who was escorted by several secret service personnel, ate crab salad as an appetizer and then customary £12.95 cod and chips before posing with staff and visitors, according to Mr Colman Ord.
‘She had a terrific time,’ he added. She was incredibly friendly and accommodating to all of the guests and employees.
‘She had a secret service detail and there were police there as well, but it was very relaxed.
‘She was lovely and very complimentary about the music and food.
‘She also took the traditional Colmans photo with Richard Snr and Junior who run the fish and chip restaurant.’