The 2024 winners of the UK's National Fish and Chip Awards were Ship Deck in Caerphilly, Wales. The owners say that, following the award, "the sheer volume of customers we see on a daily basis now is totally mind-blowing"
Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council.
The UK's National Fish and Chip Awards, organized by trade organization the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), is launching its 2025 campaign to find the best fish and chip shops in the UK and abroad.
The 37th annual event, whose main sponsor is the Norwegian Seafood Council's Seafood from Norway brand, aims to maintain high standards, promote sustainability, and celebrate innovation in the industry.
The awards feature 13 categories, including Takeaway of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, providing opportunities for over 10,000 UK fish and chip shops, as well as international competitors, to participate.
“The love for a chippy tea is deeply ingrained and the awards are here to champion all the greats out there that are making the industry what it is today. We want to showcase the diversity, entrepreneurship and amazing food coming from UK towns and cities and beyond, but we can only do this if businesses enter," said Andrew Crook, NFFF president, in a Seafood from Norway press release.
"While this is a trade award, the public is at the heart of what we do as foodservice operators, so we’d like to call on the help of customers and ask for people to encourage their favourite chip shop to take part," Crook added.
"I’d say to other fish and chip businesses that haven’t entered the awards before to just do it! It costs nothing and having the feedback from industry leaders improved our business and the way we operate," said winner Kimberly Hughes.
Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council.
The 2024 Takeaway of the Year winner, Ship Deck in Caerphilly, Wales, experienced significant growth and international opportunities after winning, according to owners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes.
“Just entering the awards alone was a positive for us. Reaching the top 40, 20 then 10 brought us massive amounts of media attention and an increase in trade," said Ryan Hughes.
“When we were crowned the UK’s number one takeaway at the awards it completely changed our business, practically overnight too, and for the better, of course! Ship Deck has always been a busy shop but the sheer volume of customers we see on a daily basis now is totally mind-blowing. We had to adjust pretty much straight away – installing a second range, recruiting for a bigger team, and all hands-on deck!” Hughes added.
The Norwegian Seafood Council brand "Seafood from Norway" was the headline sponsor for the 2024 awards, and will be continuing the same partnership in 2025.
Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, hailed the "long-standing collaboration" the organization has had with the NFFF.
“For many years, the Norwegian seafood industry has partnered closely with the UK’s iconic fish and chip sector, providing responsibly sourced, high-quality cod and haddock to operators serving up the best of the nation’s favourite dish," Braathen said.
"This sponsorship allows us to celebrate our enduring relationship with distributors and the numerous talented and dedicated fish and chip operators across the country," she added.
About the National Fish and Chip Awards:
Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers, the National Fish and Chip Awards is in its 37th year. The awards acknowledges and champions businesses and individuals throughout the UK making outstanding contributions to foodservice to ensure the nation enjoys its fish and chips, receives great customer service and professionals in the industry have access to opportunities to further their growth. Seafood from Norway is the principal sponsor for 2025.
About the Norwegian Seafood Council:
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) works with the Norwegian seafood industry and local partners to develop markets for Norwegian seafood. The NSC is headquartered in Tromsø and maintains local representatives in Norway's most important international markets. The Norwegian seafood industry finances the activities of the NSC via a tariff on all Norwegian seafood exports.
The NSC is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. The “Seafood from Norway” mark of origin is a symbol of origin for all Norwegian seafood.
