The UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops have been announced and will now compete for the title of the ‘best’, as part of the 2016 National Fish and Chip Awards organised by Seafish.
The shops were judged on a series of criteria including shop appearance, responsible sourcing policies, customer service and staff training policies. They also received mystery shopping assessments to ascertain the quality of the fish and chips.
Competing across 10 regions, the shops will now strive for the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year title.
“The aim of the National Fish & Chip Awards has always been to showcase the very best fish and chip businesses and individuals in the UK while setting incredibly high standards for the industry to aspire to,” said Paul Williams, chief executive, Seafish.
“It’s great to see so many excellent shops through to this stage of the competition. I’d like to offer up my congratulations and wish them the best as they prepare to continue their quest towards winning a regional title, but also thank them for consistently helping us to reinforce the UK’s reputation as the home of the world’s best fish and chips,” he added.
Over the coming weeks, the shops will be subjected to further mystery judging evaluations and in-depth judging audits. This next stage of the competition will whittle down the top 20 shops to establish the UK top 10 regional winners who will compete for the top accolade at the 2016 awards ceremony.
Culminating in an awards ceremony at The Lancaster London Hotel on 20 January 2016, The National Fish & Chip Awards celebrate the great British tradition of fish and chips, recognising the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses.
In October, Seafish will announce the top 10 regional winners competing for the flagship award. These shops will then be invited on an all-expense paid study trip to Ålesund, Norway, organised by award sponsor the Norwegian Seafood Council, to witness first-hand why the country is regarded as one of the world’s most sustainable fishing nations.
