Shortlisted by the awards, Fochabers Fish Bar in Fochabers and The Plaice To Be in Kilmarnock will now compete to become Scotland’s best fish and chip shop in the race for the UK title - Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award.
Hailing from every part of the UK, which has been broken down into 10 regions including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and southeast England, North East England and North West England, the contenders have had to work at the top of their game as they faced rigorous judging to secure a top spot.
Kilmarnock's The Plaice To Be Picture: Seafish
To reach this stage they have been appraised by industry experts across a variety of judging criteria, including menu development and innovation, sustainable sourcing policies, staff training processes, and marketing and promotional activities. They also received mystery shopping assessments by industry experts to ascertain customer service levels and the quality of their fish and chips.
Over the coming weeks, shops will be subjected to further mystery shopping assessments and in-depth judging audits. This next stage of the competition will whittle down the line up, establishing the UK top 10 regional winners that will compete for the overall national title to be announced in January 2017 after a seven-month long judging process.
Fochaber's Fish Bar. Picture: Seafish
Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: “The Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is one of the highest honours a fish and chip business can receive. Many of our past winners and finalists have gone on to reap substantial benefits, including increased customer footfall and turnover and media fame; some have even launched their own branded products.
“Receiving this award is the pinnacle of many friers’ careers, but only one can take home the eventual overall national title. Before then, I would like to offer up my congratulations to the shortlisted businesses and wish them the best of luck as they battle for the regional titles.”
Joint award sponsor Jackie Pearson, Head of Marketing of Henry Colbeck, said: “Henry Colbeck Limited is committed to supporting the fish and chip market and part of this pledge is to support The National Fish & Chip Awards as a sponsor.
“We firmly believe that our sponsorship helps to raise awareness of the positive nutritional values and reputation of fish and chips across the country – something we are very passionate about at Henry Colbeck.
“For more than two decades the awards have been one of the main catalysts for raising the overall standards in the industry, with many fish and chip businesses now standing ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with international brands in the takeaway food market. The awards really are viewed as the ‘Oscars’ of the frying world and are a great way of bringing everyone together to celebrate the continuing success of our industry.”
Culminating in an awards ceremony in London on 26 January 2017, The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK.
They celebrate the Great British tradition of fish and chips, showcasing the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses through 13 different award categories.
• For further information on The National Fish & Chip Awards or to view the full top 60 shortlist visit www.fishandchipawards.com or Follow @FishnChipAwards on Twitter
