There is nothing a Brit loves more than boasting about their favourite local fish and chip shop. In fact, there is, tucking into one.
Chippys are a common sight on British high streets, with the only thing separating them being good quality ingredients and prices.
Which is the best? Well, naturally there is due process - The National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.
This year’s nomination process saw fish and chip businesses from across the UK entering the awards, with the sole aim of scooping the coveted crown to be named Britain's best.
The judging panel - made up of the industry’s ‘a-fish-onados’ - put hopeful entrants through an extensive judging process, testing them against industry best practices on environmental issues, product knowledge and their responsibilities as an employer, and more.
Cumbria's chippy possibly poised to take gold?
Cumbria
Angel Lane Chippie – 17 Angel Ln, Penrith CA11 7BP
Here are some Google reviews for Cumbria's offering:
"Very good fish and chips. Large cod was huge with very light and crispy batter. One of the best I have had. Nice and friendly staff."
"The best fish and chips I had whilst in the UK, and the 'regular' portion size was massive. Great value - a large fish and chips would probably feed 2 people! They have plenty of seating upstairs if you want to dine in."
"Great chippy great food. Great prices toilets In side for public use. Upstairs dining available to eating. Would recommend."
The other Top 40 finalists for Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year are:
While further judging rounds will be performed to see which businesses progress to the next stages, the finalists for the Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year have now been whittled down to 40:
Lancashire
Westgate Fish & Chips - Morecambe
Westend Fish and Chips - Oswaldtwistle
County Durham
Yarm Road Fish and Chips – Darlington
Yorkshire
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough – Bridlington
The Fish Bank – Sherburn-in-Elmet
Auckley Friery – Doncaster
Mr C's - Selby
Oxford
Harrisons Fish & Chip Co. Botley
Lincolnshire
Catch 22 – Tattershall
Angells Fisheries – Newark-on-Trent
Pips chips – Cleethorpes
Marina Fish & Chips – Skegness
Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips - Market Deeping
Greater Manchester
Eastleigh Town Street Fryer - Marple Bridge
Chips @ No.8 – Prestwich
Cheshire
Hooked on the Heath – Knutsford
Herefordshire
Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips – Leintwardine
Bristol
Bishopston Fish and Chips
Norfolk
French's Fish Shop – Wells-next-the-Sea
Essex
The Fish Inn Clacton - Clacton-on-Sea
Henley's of Wivenhoe – Wivenhoe
Johnny Macs – Colchester
London, Kent, Surrey
Stones Fish & Chips – London
Newington Fish Bar – Ramsgate
Sandy's Fish and Chip Shop - Folkestone
Lewis’s Fish and Grill – Maidstone
Seafare – Guildford
Fish, Chips and Curry Sauce pic.twitter.com/9kMfrC7gtH
— What’s For Dinner? (@WHATSFORDlNNER) September 27, 2023
Hampshire
Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips – Bishopstoke
James Backhouse - New Milton
Wales
Posh Fish and Chip Company - Cardiff
Fintans Fish & Chip Co – Cardiff
Hennighan's Fish & Chip Shop – Machynlleth
Finneys Fish & Chips - Benllech
Ship Deck - Caerphilly
Zero Plus Fish & Chips – Cardiff
Scotland
The Wee Chippy - Anstruther
Garioch Fish Bar – Inverurie
The Fish Works – Largs
Northern Ireland
Chipmongers - Portstewart
Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, organiser of the awards, comments: “The calibre of entries for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 have been nothing short of fantastic and we are proud of all the eateries that clearly put in huge amounts of effort to be considered for the accolade.
“Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year is a notoriously difficult category to stand out in, but the panel of experts had many tough decisions to make. However, we’ve selected an exceptional shortlist that showcases the unwavering passion, dedication and excitement that the fish and chip industry brings to British culture.”
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