A Scottish fish and chip restaurant has been named in the UK’s top six

Aberdeenshire’s Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar will now go up against the five other finalists (all from England) to compete for the title of the ‘UK’s best fish and chip restaurant’.

Noel Brown and Ewen Lovie, owners of the Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar, which is located in Gourdon, said: “We are more than delighted to be shortlisted in the top 6 fish and chip restaurants in the UK and are proud to represent Scotland, in this category, at the awards in January. This is great recognition for our team’s hard work and commitment to serving the best fish and chips we can every time.”

The news follows the announcement that Lows Traditional Fish & Chip Shop in Westhill, Aberdeenshire and The Fish Hoose in Thornton, Fife, would be representing Scotland in the finals of the Best Fish and Chip Shop award.

To reach this stage, the restaurants have scored well from mystery visits to their respective premises in order to gauge quality standards.

Key award judging criteria included great customer service; serving superb fish and chips and maintaining a first class dining environment.

• READ MORE: Scotland’s best fish and chip shops announced by UK competition

The Judging were also looking for excellence in menu development and innovation; responsible sourcing policies; staff training and marketing.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: “This award category recognises and rewards our country’s best fish and chip restaurants for providing a stellar customer dining experience and the high level of standards and professionalism evidenced by our finalists this year is outstanding.

"They are exemplary ambassadors for our industry and are a prime example of why the UK is the home of the world’s best fish and chips.”

Chef Phil Vickery who will host this year’s awards commented: “It’s a great pleasure to be hosting the awards ceremony for the National Fish & Chips Awards for 2019. I have a lifelong passion for Great British food and I’ve always been very proud to ensure fish and chips take pride of place on my menus. Great food is all about the finest responsibly sourced ingredients, simplicity and taste.

"The restaurants and their staff are the torch bearers for the continuation of this important tradition and it’s fantastic to see them being given well-deserved recognition.”

The winner of the Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 31st anniversary ceremony in London on 24 January 2019.