Short lists and Finalists FOR Fish & Chip Awards 2024
TOP 40 FINALISTS FOR FISH & CHIP TAKEAWAY OF THE YEAR 2024
The golden moment has arrived where the National Fish and Chip Awards serves up the announcement of the UK’s Top 40 entries for the Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year category
This year’s nomination process saw fish and chip businesses from across the UK entering the awards, with the sole aim of scooping the coveted crown to be named Britain’s best. The judging panel - made up of the industry’s ‘a-fish-onados’ - put hopeful entrants through an extensive judging process, testing them against industry best practice on environmental issues, product knowledge and their responsibilities as an employer, and more.
While further judging rounds will be performed to see which businesses progress to the next stages, the finalists for the Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year have now been whittled down to 40.
Andrew Crook, President at the National Federation of Fish Friers, organiser of the awards, comments: “The calibre of entries for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 have been nothing short of fantastic and we are proud of all the eateries that clearly put in huge amounts of effort to be considered for the accolade.
“Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year is a notoriously difficult category to stand out in, but the panel of experts had many tough decisions to make. However, we’ve selected an exceptional shortlist that showcases the unwavering passion, dedication and excitement that the fish and chip industry brings to British culture.”
The National Fish and Chip Awards, now in its 36th year, acknowledges and champions businesses and individuals throughout the UK who make outstanding contributions to foodservice to ensure the nation enjoys its fish and chips, receives great customer service and professionals in the industry have access to opportunities to further their growth.
Seafood from Norway is the principal sponsor for the 2024 awards, with Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, praising the industry’s tenacity. “The UK’s love for fish and chips knows no bounds and the awards is the perfect occasion to celebrate the establishments that consistently deliver great fish and chips to diners across the country. It’s an honour for the Norwegian seafood industry to supply the UK with responsibly sourced cod and haddock and to see these delicious proteins celebrated in the nation’s favourite dish. We wish the finalists all the very best.”
The category winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
The Top 40 finalists for Fish and Chip
Takeaway of the Year are:
Cumbria
Angel Lane Chippie – Penrith
Lancashire
Westgate Fish & Chips - Morecambe
Westend Fish and Chips - Oswaldtwistle
County Durham
Yarm Road Fish and Chips – Darlington
Yorkshire
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough – Bridlington
The Fish Bank – Sherburn-in-Elmet
Auckley Friery – Doncaster
Mr C’s - Selby
Lincolnshire
Catch 22 – Tattershall
Angells Fisheries – Newark-on-Trent
Pips chips – Cleethorpes
Marina Fish & Chips – Skegness
Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips - Market Deeping
Greater Manchester
Eastleigh Town Street Fryer - Marple Bridge
Chips @ No.8 – Prestwich
Cheshire
Hooked on the Heath – Knutsford
Herefordshire
Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips – Leintwardine
Bristol
Bishopston Fish and Chips
Norfolk
French’s Fish Shop – Wells-next-the-Sea
Essex
The Fish Inn Clacton - Clacton-on-Sea
Henley’s of Wivenhoe – Wivenhoe
Johnny Macs – Colchester
London, Kent, Surrey
Stones Fish & Chips – London
Newington Fish Bar – Ramsgate
Sandy’s Fish and Chip Shop - Folkestone
Lewis’s Fish and Grill – Maidstone
Seafare – Guildford
Oxfordshire
Harrisons Fish & Chip Co. Botley - Oxford
Hampshire
Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips – Bishopstoke
James Backhouse - New Milton
Wales
Posh Fish and Chip Company - Cardiff
Fintans Fish & Chip Co – Cardiff
Hennighan’s Fish & Chip Shop – Machynlleth
Finneys Fish & Chips - Benllech
Ship Deck - Caerphilly
Zero Plus Fish & Chips – Cardiff
Scotland
The Wee Chippy - Anstruther
Garioch Fish Bar – Inverurie
The Fish Works – Largs
Northern Ireland
Chipmongers - Portstewart
THE HEAT IS ON FOR THE DRYWITE YOUNG FISH FRIER OF THE YEAR 2024 SHORTLIST
After a three-year hiatus, the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year category is making a sizzling return at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024
Following many submissions for the award, leaders from the fish and chip industry have chosen ten exceptional individuals from across the UK to be in with a chance of scooping the game-changing trophy. The hopeful entrants are all aged under 25 and have a minimum of six months’ unsupervised frying experience.
The second judging round will be a virtual interview where each candidate will fry fish and chips live in front of the panel and while the cooked product and their knowledge is assessed, they will also be asked set, skills-based questions. The best six will progress to the next stage, which will be a visit to their respective chip shops for further examination of all aspects of their role, to determine who the final three will be.
The 10 young professionals making every day a good ‘fry day’ are:
Scotland
Glen Marshall Morrison - Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie
Jamie Russo - Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven
Imogen Atkinson - Real Food Café, Tyndrum
Cumbria
Lewis Newton - Sandgate Chippie, Penrith
Lincolnshire
Kieran Bulpit - Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips,
Market Deeping
Cheshire
James Ellams - Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove, Chester
Staffordshire
Imogen Jones - Jojo’s Fish and Chips, Stafford
Wales
Taylor Webster - Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer
Surrey
Georgia Lye - Seafare Fish and Chips, Guildford
Devon
Charlie James, Pier Point Bar & Restaurant, Torquay
The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
For more information and bits on the National Fish and Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.
AN APPEALING TOP 10 SHORTLIST FOR THE FIELD TO FRIER AWARD
Ten businesses have been revealed as top of the crops for the Field to Frier category for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024
Fish and chip shops around the UK have been showcasing excellency with their knowledge of potatoes and the care and chip preparation required to deliver highquality standards. An industry panel of judges has hashed it out with entries sliced down to the top 10.
The Field to Frier category is sponsored by Isle of Ely Produce, which is responsible for supplying over two million bags of potatoes into the fish and chip industry every year. The company has been joined this year as an award partner by the Agrico variety Babylon. Babylon is a relatively new variety that has been trialled at fish and chip shops across the UK with great success over the last two years.
Isle of Ely Director Oliver Boutwood said: “This award is crucial for us to help educate shops on the basics of how to get the most from their potato supplies.
Knowing about which varieties suit them best (this changes by geographic area), how to store and treat the potatoes and also making the best chips from what is available at any given time will help us all to serve great chips every time.”
10 fish & chip businesses that have made the cut:
Scotland
The Fish Works, Largs
County Durham
Bells Fish and Chips, Durham
Tyne & Wear
Pantrini’s, Whitley Bay
Yorkshire
The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet
Herefordshire
Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips, Leintwardine
Wales
Finney’s Fish and Chips, Anglesey
Shipdeck, Caerphilly
Essex
Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe
Kent
Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate
Devon
Pier Point, Torquay
Further judging rounds will commence shortly to whittle the shortlist to five and then to three final businesses. The category winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London
THE NATIONAL FISH AND CHIP AWARDS - ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY AWARD
Chip shops in the running to bag environmental industry award are announced
Three UK fish and chip shops in Wales, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire have emerged as finalists in the Environment and Sustainability category.
A comprehensive judging process scrutinised UK fish and chip businesses’ environmental and sustainability practices, which included innovative ways to train staff, explaining the impact the measures have had on the business in relation to people, profit and the planet, and advising other fish and chip businesses on the best steps to take.
Hennighan’s in Machynlleth, Seaqueen Fisheries in Mansfield Woodhouse and Hornsea-based Whiteheads Fish and Chips have all now secured their ‘plaice’ as contenders to claim the prestigious accolade.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers and organiser of the awards, praised the entrants’ dedication to developing greener approaches. “There has been clear progression from this year’s chip shop hopefuls with their incorporation of sustainable measures in their business models. The industry climate is tough, with growing pressures to increase environmentally friendly standards and our three finalists are exemplary in being accountable in achieving the requirements.
“They are showing long-term impactful commitments and are working closely with the foodservice supply chain to ensure best quality and sustainably sourced produce is available to their local communities. We’re so happy for the trio and it’s our pleasure to commend and support their efforts.”
Seafood from Norway is the principal sponsor of the awards, as well as the Environment and Sustainability category. Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, speaks of the importance of sustainability in the seafood sector: “Responsible practices in the fish and chip industry have never been more important and it’s inspiring to see growing awareness from so many businesses and their customers around this topic.
“From the fish served, right through to packaging and staffing, it’s about ensuring every element of the supply chain has been assessed so that we can continually improve the impact we are having as an industry.
“As a proud seafood nation, the Norwegian seafood industry is delighted to supply responsibly sourced Norwegian cod and haddock for the nation’s favourite dish. We wish the three finalists the very best of luck in the awards!”
THE NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Industry award reveals fish and chip professionals hoping to be ‘batter’ than all the rest
Fish friers from across the UK have been reeling in the nominations for the opportunity to be named Employee of the Year, an all-new category for the National Fish and Chip Awards.
Over the last few months, the fish and chip industry has been proposing which colleagues and peers deserve to be recognised for their standout contributions to the businesses they work for. Of the many applicants, 10 will continue the judging process having caught the attention of the fish and chip expert panel, who inspected the nominees’ industry knowledge, work ethic, customer service skills and more.
The award provides an opportunity to champion small businesses in local communities. Employers’ investment into skills development is a key ingredient for helping team members serve up the best experience for fish and chip diners, as well as furthering their personal career progression in the industry.
Nominees will face the judges for one last time, with four to make it through to the finals, with the victor to be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
The 10 chip shop employees in with a chance to ‘clam’ the Employee of the Year award are:
County Durham
Donna Whitfield - Bells Fish & Chips, Durham
Yorkshire
Liam Williams - Jennyfield Fisheries, Harrogate
Joanne Newman - Towngate Fisheries, Bradford
Greater Manchester/Cheshire
Jamie Toland - Taylors, Stockport
Bristol
Seyed Mirabedini - Bishopston Fish and Chips
Dorset
Jonathan Ciardini – Rickys, Southbourne
Devon
Zak Bishop - Squires Fish Restaurant & Take Away, Braunton
James Astles - Pier Point Bar & Restaurant, Torquay
Wales
Mary Carpenter - Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer
Scotland
Keira Copeland - Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie
THE NATIONAL FISH AND CHIP AWARDS RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST
Ten UK fish & chip restaurants have been selected for a chance to be named Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious National Fish and Chip Awards 2024
The shortlisted businesses have earned their ‘plaice’ in the top 10 following a panel of judges’ intense review of their environmental standards, sustainability best practice methods, customer service and knowledge of the fish and chip industry.
The award category sponsor Seafood from Iceland’s Project Manager Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson, adds: “Showing our support and appreciation for the Restaurant of the Year finalists is a real joy. Excellency at every touchpoint of these businesses has been clearly evident and it’s especially exciting and encouraging for Seafood from Iceland to see how UK fish and chip establishments are embracing where the future of fish on menus is heading.”
Renowned names from the industry will continue further inspections of the shortlist, including mystery visits to each, which will see the 10 scaled down to five competitors. Crunch time will be on 28 February 2024, when the winner is announced at the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
The top 10 hoping to be Restaurant of the Year are:
Yorkshire
Whitby’s Restaurant, Doncaster
Nottinghamshire
The Cods Scallops, West Bridgford
Gloucestershire
Malt and Anchor, Cirencester
The Chip Shed, Cheltenham
Bristol
Noah’s, Bristol
Somerset
Knights Fish Restaurant, Glastonbury
Norfolk
Upstairs at No.1 Cromer, Cromer
Eric’s Fish and Chips, Hunstanton
Hampshire
Shoal Winchester, Winchester
Devon
Pier Point, Torquay
THE NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS BEST UK MULTIPLE OPERATORS
Three fish and chip businesses have been identified as finalists in the Best Multiple Operator of the Year category at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.
After an intensive judging process, which saw entrants grilled about their industry knowledge, environmental and sustainability practices, employer standards and more, fish and chip experts have had time to ‘mullet’ over. The three multiple operators that have excelled are Bells Fish and Chips in the North-East, Haven, Cook’s Fish and Chips, located in Lancashire, South Wales and Kent and The Chesterford Group, with outlets across the South-East.
Things are to reach boiling point, with mystery visits at each establishment to take place at an undisclosed time to the final three. There’ll be no time for floundering for any of the businesses, as the one which scores the highest will be deemed the winner, with the announcement to be made live at the awards ceremony on 28 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.
Andrew Crook, the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers which organises the awards comments: “Our three finalists for Best Multiple Operator deserve recognition for their incredible hard work in a year that has been relentless. Being able to keep plates spinning in numerous locations requires the highest levels of determination, teamwork, vision and of course amazing food, and that’s what these businesses have shown.”
The category is sponsored by Pacific West Foods, a frontrunner for quality and innovation in frozen seafood sector and one of the leading suppliers of raw and value-added seafood.
Its Managing Director Martin Finegan adds: “What an achievement for the finalists to be identified as the UK’s best. Fish and chip businesses show a type of resilience and dedication to serving customers with quality seafood that never fails to impress. This means being able to move fast with the times and Pacific West Foods is looking forward to assisting many more fish and chip businesses in this way.”
THE NATIONAL FISH AND CHIP AWARDS - NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Five new chip shops in the UK are proving their worth their salt by making the shortlist for the Newcomer of the Year category at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.
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The businesses, which all opened their doors on or after 1 January 2022, have been assessed against a tough set of criteria by trade ‘o-fish-ials’ to determine their level of industry knowledge, environmental and sustainability practices, employer standards and of course, their ability to produce the tastiest chip shop favourites.
The new cods on the block making a splash are:
Lincolnshire A Salt ’n’ Battery, Crowle
Wales Evans Fish Bar, Powys
Yorkshire Ings Fish Bar, Redcar Mackerel Sky, Stamford Bridge
Scotland Red Cloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven
Andrew Crook, president at the National Federation of Fish Friers,
which organises the awards, comments: “Each and every business that entered the category has been very impressive. To be acknowledged for an award in less than two years of trading in such a tough climate for the fish and chip industry is demonstrative of just how hard these friers have worked to get their businesses up and running. The shortlisted chippies have set the bar even higher this year and we’re excited to see how the next stage pans out.”
ADM/Frymax is sponsoring the Newcomer of the Year award, and its UK Brand & Marketing Manager Andrew Marriott is also full of praise for the contenders. “To launch a quick-service business post-pandemic and during an economic crisis is not for the faint hearted and what persistence, willpower and impressive determination these exceptional chip shops are displaying.
“Supplying our oil to UK chip shops for over 70 years, Frymax has been and is an integral part of the trade so seeing exciting new arrivals like these makes us even more proud to support the industry.”
The top five are angling to make it to the final three but will first have to ace the mystery shop visit and interview process which will take place shortly. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.
THE NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS MOBILE OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
An extensive judging process conducted by authorities in the fish and chip industry saw the mobile chippies excelling in assessments which scrutinised their capabilities in serving local and rural customers, as well as catering for weddings and corporate functions, while maintaining the highest of standards.
The three businesses shaking things up across the country from their vans or trailers have been revealed as Country Fried in Blackburn, Hungry Plaice in Holbeach and Jojo’s Fish and Chips in Stafford.
President of the National Federation of Fish Friers and awards organiser Andrew Crook, says: “Businesses in the mobile space have a unique kind of pressure cooker environment to work in and whether it’s serving customers in a bustling town or city centre or pitching up at nuptials in the middle of a soggy field, it requires expertise in adaptability to different cooking dynamics whilst maintaining the highest level of professionalism. Hats off to the finalists - this is a wonderful achievement, and we wish them all the best for the awards and in the future.”
Sponsoring the Mobile Operator of the Year is award Kerry, a global expert for research and development, consumer insight, innovation and food safety and manufacturing. Its Field Sales Manager Kirsty Duncan comments: “We have been astounded by the finalists and their teams, which must consistently operate at the apex of their capabilities. The work ethic, love for delicious foods and agility that they all embody aligns with the core of Kerry and we are thrilled to be affiliated with like-minded businesses. Congratulations to all!”
The winner of Mobile Operator of the Year will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.