The National Fish and Chip Awards, organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and proudly sponsored by Seafood from Norway (SfN), will soon be upon us again, bringing together some of the brightest frying stars in the UK to celebrate their shared successes over the past year.
With 13 categories, including the coveted Takeaway of the Year, the awards have come to represent the full spectrum of skill within the fish and chip industry – with each year attracting a greater talent pool than the last.
And is it any wonder? Clinching one of the competition’s top spots can be career-defining, transforming operations and boosting sales to remarkable levels.
Take Ryan and Kimberly Hughes from Ship Deck in Caerphilly, Wales. Crowned 2024’s Takeaway of the Year, Ship Deck started out as the passion project of two 20-somethings with little in their pockets, but big plans for their future. With not much to their name, the newlyweds did everything themselves, buying equipment second-hand, piece by piece. They poured their hearts into the shop, which soon began to thrive and became integral to the local community. “I couldn’t even afford a coffee at the time, but somehow we built the shop!” says Ryan.
Starting out as just the two of them, and now with a team of 17 behind them, in February they were crowned the best in the business after just five years of operating. Since then, business has been booming.
Ryan attributes Ship Deck’s success in part to its use of Norwegian seafood, praising its quality and sustainability credentials, to the extent that they even have a board and screen in the shop showing customers exactly which fishing vessel caught their meal.
As the principal sponsor of the awards this year, SfN, representing the Norwegian fishing industry – a proud supplier of high-quality cod and haddock to UK’s iconic fish and chip industry – took Ryan from Ship Deck and all other award category winners to Norway on a trip of a lifetime to see what goes on behind the scenes. Over the course of an immersive three days, a jam-packed itinerary guided the winners on a tour of all things Norwegian seafood. From pioneering stock management to technologically advanced fishing fleets, everything Norwegian seafood producers do is centered around quality and sustainability.
As a proud supporter of the fish and chip industry, SfN’s objective is to champion the talent across the sector, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge to select the best produce for their shop and in so doing, helping them continue their mission of serving up the nation’s favourite dish.
With the competition now officially open for new entries, the race is on to discover the next champions of the fish and chip world. Operators of all sizes and experience levels are encouraged to step up, showcase their skills, and claim their place among the industry’s elite.
