Held at a ceremony in London and hosted by television personality Matt Baker, the 2025 National Fish & Chip Awards saw Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington, County Durham scoop the revered top award, Takeaway of the Year.
Yarm Road Fish and Chips Director-Manager Will Burrell said: “Well we can’t quite believe it! We really didn’t think this year would be our year. Not because of how the process and judging has gone, but purely because of just how unbelievable the rest of the top 10 finalists are. To be mentioned alongside these guys is one thing, but to top the list is something we could only dream of! Now somehow, it’s reality.”
Burrell continued: “Since our opening eight years ago, we have adapted to new situations, overcame hurdles and tried to perfect our craft of the nation’s favourite takeaway. It seems we have got it somewhere near right!
“To the wider public, keep supporting your local chippy. They are the cornerstone of many communities and there may be some tough times ahead, as we all know. Go and get your chippy teas! Thank you!”
Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the awards – now in its 37th year – honoured the skills, innovation and dedication of businesses and individuals in the UK and beyond that are elevating the fish and chip experience. Prizes were awarded across 15 categories which covered everything from sustainability to quality to customer service.
NFFF President Andrew Crook said this year’s entrants showed the abundant passion for fish and chips is deepening.
“The bar for the National Fish & Chip Awards is set higher each year across the criteria the competitors are evaluated against, and our new titleholders have put everything into elevating their menus, sharpening their skills and developing their expertise.
“The quick-service sector is constantly changing but what remains is that customers expect a high-quality product that tastes like heaven, that sustainability is carefully considered throughout the experience and the service is on-point. Each winner hits the mark on all these fronts and their hard work is achieving national attention. On behalf of the NFFF, I’d like to say a big ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’ to these businesses for being shining examples of greatness in the fish and chip industry,” he said.
This year’s other winners were:
- Restaurant of the Year – Bells Fish & Chips (Framwellgate Moor), Durham, County Durham
- Field to Frier – Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven, Scotland
- Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year – Glen Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie, Scotland
- Newcomer of the Year – Mackerel Sky, Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire
- Employee of the Year – Georgia Lye from Seafare Guildford, Surrey
- Mobile Operator of the Year– Country Fried, Blackburn, Lancashire
- Environment and Sustainable Business – Finney’s Benllech, Anglesey, Wales
- Training and Development – Taylors, Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Digital Marketing – Eric’s Fish and Chips, Thornham, Norfolk
- Quality Accreditation Champion – The Scrap Box, York, Yorkshire
- Community Engagement – Brockley’s Rock, Brockley, London
- International Fish and Chip Operator – Fez & Cip, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- Supplier of the Year – Dennis Crooks Fish Merchants
- Outstanding Achievement – Paul Williams, KFE Ltd
On behalf of the awards’ principal sponsor Seafood from Norway, Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council congratulated all of this year’s winners.
“Through this competition, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of the country’s finest fish and chip champions – passionate individuals who bring this iconic British dish to life,” she said.
