National Fish & Chip Awards serves The Scrap Box with the UK’s official Takeaway of the Year title

Fish & Chip Takeaway of the Year 2026 That ‘Fry-day’ feeling is in full effect for the mighty Scrap

Box in York, Yorkshire, which has received the top honour of Takeaway of the Year at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2026, with Seafood from Norway as principal sponsor

The UK’s leading fish and chip awards ceremony was attended by 650 industry guests, with actor and presenter Stephen Mangan hosting the 38th edition and presenting each category winner with their well-earned prizes.

The National Fish & Chip Awards is the official competition for the sector and the most comprehensive. Created by the industry for the industry, it shines a light on excellency and sets the highest standards for the trade. Entrants are put through their paces with careful analyses of their expertise, sustainable practices, operations, workplace obligations, customer relations and food.

Takeaway of the Year was sponsored by BDSigns, Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and V.A. Whitley, and chippies from throughout the nation did all they could to show they were the ‘reel’ deal, with 40 in the shortlist becoming 20 semi-finalists then to a top 10 of heavy hitters that have taken fish and chip cookery to all-new heights.

But, after months of interviews, tasks, on-site inspections and anonymous food reviewing, The Scrap Box won the Takeaway of the Year award after impressing the judging panel with its outstanding fish and chips, dedication to quality and customer service excellence.

This includes perfecting its fish and chip recipes as well as expanding the menu to feature varieties of white fish to encourage customers to embrace new flavours and the future of the industry, which also won the team the Marketing Initiative Award.

The Scrap Box has continually invested time and finances to help strengthen its team and has created a fantastic workplace culture where opportunities to learn new skills are provided on a regular basis. Upgrades to equipment has enhanced the quality of its chippy menu, its presentation as well making processes more efficient throughout the business.

What was once a disused toilet block has been reinvented into a cherished part of the surrounding villages and now the UK’s best fish and chip shop. Aman Dhesi co-owns The Scrap Box with his brother Gavin and says receiving the award as the chippy approaches its 10th year is the perfect way to mark the milestone.

On receiving the top prize of Takeaway of the Year, Aman Dhesi who co-owns The Scrap Box with his brother Gavin, says: “There are so many outstanding fish and chip shops across the UK, and countless awards, but this is the one every

chippy dreams of, the ‘Oscars’ of our industry!

“With the most rigorous judging and the highest calibre of past winners, it’s a true honour to be recognised at this level. To represent the very best of fish and chips for the year ahead is both humbling and hugely meaningful to our team, and a testament to the craft, care, and consistency we put into every portion of fish and chips.”

The event is organised by the National Federation of Fish

Friers (NFFF) and Andrew Crook, president of the association, says “Fish and chips is the greatest takeaway meal and the industry takes the responsibility of keeping its national treasure status very seriously. Exceptional businesses entered at a high level and have finished the process in an even stronger position, which can only mean greater things for their near and long-term futures.

Seafood from Norway’s Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK Country Director for the Norwegian Seafood Council, speaks of the deserving winner: “A huge congratulations to the Scrap Box. Now a true icon in the fish and chip industry, it has shown unwavering commitment to the very best quality fish and chips. It’s this shared commitment that gets us excited about the future of the dish!”

The Scrap Box and the other winners from the awards have been invited on an exclusive study trip to Norway, hosted on board the long-liner vessel Geir, where they will see first-hand how Norwegian seafood is responsibly sourced at sea. The visit will give operators direct insight into the country’s science-led fisheries model, helping to bring origin, provenance and sustainability to life.