Entries for the Nationwide Fish and Chip Awards 2025 are ‘o-fish-ially’ open

The search is on to search out the following set of champion fish and chip outlets because the Nationwide Fish and Chip Awards, the UK’s premier prize-giving occasion for excellent companies within the trade, at the moment launches its 2025 marketing campaign to search out the best takeaways and eating places from the UK and abroad. 

Organised by the Nationwide Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the Nationwide Fish and Chip Awards is in its 37th yr, with Seafood from Norway as its principal sponsor for 2025. The awards guarantee excessive requirements are maintained and improved all through the sector, sustainable practices are adhered to, and innovation is widely known and recognised, to assist companies thrive and for communities to take pleasure in the very best quality meals.

With 13 classes to enter, together with Takeaway of the Yr, Restaurant of the Yr, Drywite Younger Fish Frier of the Yr and Worker of the Yr, there may be loads of alternative for the UK’s 10,000+ chip outlets, plus worldwide counterparts, to make the leap and go for gold by getting into from at the moment by visiting https://thefishandchipawards.com/. 

Andrew Criminal, president of the NFFF, says: “What a yr for fish and chips – surveys have proven that fish and chips is as soon as once more the nation’s favorite dish! Nationwide Fish and Chip Day tied in with the D-Day 80 celebrations final month to recognise the numerous function this staple meals performed in protecting Britain fed and troops on the frontline that bit safer, utilizing the phrase ‘fish and chips’ as a name and response methodology to determine if good friend or foe was approaching. 

“The love for a chippy tea is deeply ingrained and the awards are right here to champion all of the greats on the market which might be making the trade what it’s at the moment. We need to showcase the variety, entrepreneurship and wonderful meals coming from UK cities and cities and past, however we are able to solely do that if companies enter. Whereas it is a commerce award, the general public is on the coronary heart of what we do as foodservice operators, so we’d wish to name on the assistance of consumers and ask for individuals to encourage their favorite chip store to participate.”

Over time, the awards haven’t solely seen winners and finalists breaking although to all-new ranges of success however shortlisted chip outlets, too. Andrew continues, “The judging levels are a refining course of to realize professional perception on methods to change into higher – who doesn’t need that for his or her enterprise and workforce? We’re extremely proud to be on this trade and nothing makes us happier than seeing hidden gems unearthed and newcomers being on the radar of much more individuals and doorways opening for them. We’re trying ahead to what we anticipate shall be one of many greatest years we ever had!”

Taking pole place for the coveted Takeaway of the Yr 2024 prize is Ship Deck in Caerphilly, which earlier at the moment hosted the awards launch occasion at its premises whereas additionally celebrating its fifth anniversary in enterprise. Since bagging the highest gong in February, homeowners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes have seen the enterprise speed up to an 85% in a single day enhance, which continued for nearly three months. This has now levelled at a 65% enhance, which they describe as, “huge for what was an already busy store” they usually anticipate additional will increase when it hits it peak time.

Alongside different class winners, they lately returned from a research journey to Norway with Seafood from Norway, and in October they are going to be heading to Japan to open a Ship Deck pop-up store. Ryan feedback: “Simply getting into the awards alone was a optimistic for us. Reaching the highest 40, 20 then 10 introduced us mass quantities of media consideration and a rise in commerce. 

“Once we had been topped the UK’s primary takeaway on the awards it utterly modified our enterprise, virtually in a single day too, and for the higher, after all! Ship Deck has all the time been a busy store however the sheer quantity of consumers we see each day now’s completely mind-blowing. We needed to regulate just about immediately – putting in a second vary, recruiting for an even bigger workforce, and all hands-on deck!”

“I’d say to different fish and chip companies that haven’t entered the awards earlier than to simply do it! It prices nothing and having the suggestions from trade leaders improved our enterprise and the best way we function – be your self and showcase what you’re good at. Inform your store’s story! The strongest recommendation I can provide to the following winner is to be prepared! And provides it your all. Any minor points in your corporation that you’ve now – portion management, workers coaching, revenue margins – have the potential to change into an even bigger subject the busier you change into. Good luck, don’t stress and revel in each minute of it.”

Seafood from Norway’s Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, feedback: “Seafood from Norway, proudly represented by the Norwegian Seafood Council, is thrilled to once more be the headline sponsor on the 2025 Nationwide Fish & Chip Awards – a continuation of the long-standing collaboration we’ve had with the NFFF, contributing to the optimistic momentum seen throughout the fish and chip trade.

“For a few years, the Norwegian seafood trade has partnered intently with the UK’s iconic fish and chip sector, offering responsibly sourced, high-quality cod and haddock to operators serving up the very best of the nation’s favorite dish. This sponsorship permits us to rejoice our enduring relationship with distributors and the quite a few proficient and devoted fish and chip operators throughout the nation.”

The Nationwide Fish and Chip Awards ceremony to disclose the winners will happen in February in London.

For extra data and bits on the Nationwide Fish and Chip Awards, please go to: www.thefishandchipawards.com.