Ten of the UK’s most promising young fish friers have been named semi-finalists in the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year category at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2026, marking a major step towards one of the industry’s most prestigious titles.
Open to professionals aged 25 and under, the competition celebrates rising stars in Britain’s fish and chip trade who demonstrate exceptional skill, product knowledge and passion for the craft. The winner, to be crowned at the awards ceremony in London next February, will become the 27th recipient of the coveted title.
After impressing judges with their understanding of oils, potato varieties, frying techniques, and fish preparation, the 10 semi-finalists now move forward to the next round of the competition.
The young friers hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Glen Morrison of Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland, are:
- Abigail Barker, Millers Fish and Chips, Haxby, Yorkshire
- Kieran Bulpit, Donington Fish and Chips, Spalding, Lincolnshire
- Amy Crombleholme, Hunters Fish & Chips, Louth, Lincolnshire
- James Ellams, Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove, Chester, Cheshire
- Matthew Faulkner, Cox’s at the Lighthouse, St Neots, Cambridgeshire
- Charlie James, Pier Point, Torquay, Devon
- Ben Langlands, Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther, Scotland
- Dylan MacDonald, Lows Traditional Fish & Chips, Aberdeen, Scotland
- Jack Spencer, Queens Drive Fish & Chips, Ossett, Yorkshire
- Megan White, Herts & Essex Foods – The Golden Fillet, Clacton, Essex
Kelvin Lee, Managing Director of Drywite, which launched the competition 30 years ago, praised the talent emerging from this year’s cohort.
“I am very pleased to see both new and familiar faces reaching this year’s semi-final,” Lee said. “All are extremely talented young people, and I wish them the very best of luck in the next stage of the competition.”
Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the awards, said the standard continues to rise every year.
“Our 2026 semi-finalists are in a league of their own,” he said. “The attention they give to every detail – from batter preparation to portioning and frying – is remarkable. They’re sharing knowledge, visiting each other’s shops, and showing a genuine commitment to advancing the craft. It’s inspiring to see that Britain’s most iconic comfort food is in such capable hands.”
Next, the semi-finalists will undergo in-depth assessments in their respective shops, where judges will evaluate every aspect of their work – from preparation and frying skills to customer service and product consistency.
The finalists will be announced early next year, before the winner is revealed at the National Fish & Chip Awards ceremony on 25 February 2026, at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.
