Twelve has quickly become eight as the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) has whittled down the contenders for this year’s Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award.
The eight youngsters – all aged 18-25 and with a minimum of six months’ frying experience – who made it through to the semi-finals after impressing the judging panel with their industry knowledge and frying skills are:
- Abigail Barker – Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby (near York), Yorkshire
- Kieran Bulpit –Linfords Traditional Fish & Chips in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire
- James Ellams – Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire
- Sebastian Harding Crook – Squires in Braunton, Devon
- Charlie James – Pier Point Fish & Chips in Torquay, Devon
- Scott Kendrew –Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby (near York), Yorkshire
- Charlie Knox – The Carron in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Glen Morrison – Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland
These competitors will now be assessed in their shops on every aspect of their frying skills and ability as fish friers. The winner will claim the coveted title from 2024’s winner Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Barin Stonehaven, Scotland.
Kelvin Lee, managing director of award sponsor Drywite, says: “We are very pleased to be running the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition again in 2025. We always find the calibre of young talent coming through the industry amazing, and these eight semi-finalists shortlisted this year have the potential to really drive their fish frying careers forward in the future. It will be a great thrill to present this year’s winner with the Malcolm Lee Trophy at the Fish & Chip Awards in London and for Drywite to become part of their career story.”
Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF, adds: “Frying fish correctly is a complex, precise and integral part of the profession that takes a considerable amount of time to perfect, so it’s exciting to see those in the foundation years of their careers are already delivering product at an elevated level. “
The winner will be announced at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 on 26th February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London.
