Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year is one of the toughest titles in the fish and chip industry to win and this year it’s tougher than ever with entries surging by 50%. However, the 2026 shortlist has been revealed.
The 14 rising-stars who go through to the next round are:
- Abigail Barker – Millers Fish and Chips in Haxby, Yorkshire
- Kieran Bulpit – Donington Fish and Chips in Spalding, Lincolnshire
- Xenofon Christoforou – Pete’s Chippy in Bedworth, Warwickshire
- Amy Crombleholme – Hunters Fish & Chips in Louth, Lincolnshire
- James Ellams – Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire
- Matthew Faulkner – Cox’s at the Lighthouse in St Neots, Cambridgeshire
- Charlie James – Pier Point in Torquay, Devon
- Ben Langlands – Anstruther Fish Bar in Anstruther, Scotland
- Dylan MacDonald – Lows Traditional Fish & Chips in Aberdeen, Scotland
- Lewis Mathews – Sandy’s Fish and Chips in Folkestone, Kent
- Jack Spencer – Queens Drive Fish & Chips in Ossett, Yorkshire
- Gabi Tsantanis – Finney’s Fish and Chips Benllech in Anglesey, Wales
- Mikey Wallwork – Taylors in Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Megan White – Herts & Essex Foods – The Golden Fillet in Clacton, Essex
Aged 25 and under with a minimum of six months’ unsupervised frying experience, the 14 youngsters will now face a live, online cookery demonstration and interview. The winner will be named on 25th February at The National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London.
Kelvin Lee, managing director of Drywite, says the competition stands alone in its field for those in the early days of their fish frying years: “We are very pleased with the number and quality of entrants for the 2026 Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award. I feel this proves that young people are really keen to demonstrate their skills and make fish frying their career and not just a job. The 14 candidates short-listed have already proved they have a special talent, and I wish them all the very best as the competition progresses.”
2025 winner Glen Morrison of Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland, wished the contenders good luck before adding: “It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase your passion, challenge yourself against the best, and connect with likeminded people in our industry. Win or lose, the experience will push you to grow and give you lessons that last a lifetime. Since winning Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year, life has been non-stop – our shop has never been busier, and the pride of serving the local community with that trophy beside me is second to none; memories that will live with me forever.”
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