“An Unforgettable Experience as a Finalist in the Field to Frier Category”

For those in the fish and chip industry, the National Fish & Chip Awards is like the Oscars. This prestigious award brings together the best of the best from around the UK and celebrates their excellence in this beloved British cuisine.

This year it was organised by The National Federation of Fish Friers, with past years being organised by Seafish a non-profit organization that supports the UK seafood industry, in collaboration with the National Federation of Fish Friers.

The awards cover a range of categories, including:

• Fish & Chip Takeaway of the Year, 
• Fish & Chip Restaurant of the Year, 
• Best Newcomer, 
• Field to Frier, 
• Mobile Operator, 
• Staff Training & Development, 
• Multiple Operator, 
• Quality Accreditation Champion, 
• Environment & Sustainability 
• and more…

Each category is judged on a range of criteria, including the quality of the fish and chips, customer service, sustainability, innovation and much more.

The 2023 National Fish & Chip Awards ceremony took place on the 28th of February at the Park Plaza Westminster in London, and the host for the night was comedian Jason Manford. Over 600 guests attended the event to celebrate the best in the industry, enjoy lunch, and, most importantly, find out the winners of the awards.

Our fish and chip shop was honoured to be one of the Top 3 finalists in the Field to Frier category, a testament to our commitment to sourcing sustainable, high-quality ingredients/potatoes from suppliers. Being part of the awards and attending the ceremony was an incredible experience that provided us with an opportunity to connect with other industry professionals. Also, a great opportunity to catch up with friends within the industry.

Although we did not win the Field to Frier category, being a finalist was a great achievement that made us proud of our business and motivated us to continue to strive for excellence. Participating in the National Fish & Chip Awards also helped us raise awareness of our business and the industry, and promote sustainable practices and support for our suppliers.

The National Fish & Chip Awards not only recognise excellence in the industry but also encourage sustainable practices and responsible sourcing. The competition inspires fish and chip shops to be more mindful of their environmental impact and make a positive difference in their communities.

In summary, the National Fish & Chip Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for businesses to showcase their talents, learn from others, and contribute to promoting sustainability and responsible sourcing in the industry. We look forward to participating again next year and continuing to raise the bar for the UK fish and chip industry.

I’ll end this blog with this:

If you haven’t entered any awards before, I highly recommend giving it a try. As a small shop in a rural area, making it to the finals can be a powerful testament to the hard work and dedication that you’ve put into your business. Awards not only provide recognition and validation for your efforts, but they can also help to increase your visibility and credibility within your industry.

Entering awards can also be an excellent way to gain valuable feedback and insights from judges and industry experts. This feedback can help you to identify areas where you can improve your business and take it to the next level.

Finally, entering awards can be a fun and exciting way to engage with your team and celebrate your successes. Whether you win or not, the process of preparing for and participating in the awards can be a valuable learning experience that helps to strengthen your business and build a sense of pride and camaraderie among your team members.

So, if you haven’t entered any awards yet, I encourage you to give it a try. Who knows, you may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve!