The golden moment has arrived where the National Fish and Chip Awards serves up the announcement of the UK’s Top 40 entries for the Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year category.

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 practice on environmental issues, product knowledge and their responsibilities as an employer, and more.

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.

Andrew Crook, President at 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.”

The National Fish and Chip Awards, now in its 36^th year, acknowledges and champions businesses and individuals throughout the UK who make 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 the 2024 awards, with Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, praising the industry’s tenacity. “The UK’s love for fish and chips knows no bounds and the awards is the perfect occasion to celebrate the establishments that consistently deliver great fish and chips to diners across the country. It’s an honour for the Norwegian seafood industry to supply the UK with responsibly sourced cod and haddock and to see these delicious proteins celebrated in the nation’s favourite dish. We wish the finalists all the very best.”

The category winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.

The Top 40 finalists for Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year are:

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

Cumbria

Angel Lane Chippie – Penrith

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

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

Oxfordshire

Harrisons Fish & Chip Co. Botley – Oxford

Hampshire

Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips – Bishopstoke
James Backhouse – New Milton

Scotland

The Wee Chippy – Anstruther
Garioch Fish Bar – Inverurie
The Fish Works – Largs

Northern Ireland

Chipmongers – Portstewart