Two fish and chip restaurants who competed against each other at the 2024 National Fish & Chip Awards came together for a charity fundraising dinner in aid of the Fishermen’s Mission last week.
Knights Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury, Somerset – winner of Restaurant of the Year Award – joined second place Pier Point Bar and Restaurant in Torquay, Devon, on Tuesday 8th October for a Champion Seafood Celebration.
Over 40 guests attended, each paying £29.50 for a three-course meal. The menu began with a starter of fishcake sliders and mackerel, followed by a main course featuring hake, chips, mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce. All the fish was locally landed at Brixham, highlighting the wide range of fresh, locally sourced seafood available from England’s coast.
With the chips freshly rumbled in the morning and the hake delivered in ready portioned 8oz fillets, all that was left for the team to do while the restaurant was filling up was to make the batter and prep the starters.
Charlie James, head fryer at Pier Point, comments: “It was my first time frying with someone from another fish and chip shop, so it was great to have the chance to collaborate with someone else and make an event of it. George started in the industry when he was 14, so he has a lot of experience on me, but we worked well together. He had one pan, and I had the other!
“The team was brilliant, too, they made some amazing starters, and the feedback from the diners was brilliant.
“There are so many great shops and, yes, we compete when it comes to the awards, but at the end of the day, we all support each other and help where we can. This is one of the most supportive industries I’ve come across and I’m proud to be part of it.”
George Moray, manager at Knights Fish Restaurant, travelled an hour to join Charlie in the kitchen at Pier Point. He comments: “Teaming up with Pier Point’s chefs and Charlie to serve up a never-been-done-before champion collaboration Seafood Feast was a memorable evening! Let alone the absolutely fantastic worthwhile cause of raising money for the Fishermen’s Mission charity.
“When I was approached about the event, not long after winning our award, and I learned that it would raise money for an important cause, I was an immediate yes.
“For me, the industry is so open and approachable that businesses like ours can come up with and collaborate towards such fantastic events to honour fish and chips and their historical significance, their role in modern life and their cultural impact on our seafood appetite. What other dish can take three simple, natural ingredients and, with a great deal of risk, time, care and effort, bring us something so delightful — from the ocean to your plate?”
