A DREAM JOURNEY TO ICELAND

Fish & Chip Award Winners Embark on a Dream Journey to Iceland

At the end of May, Business Iceland (Íslandsstofa), on behalf of the “Seafood from Iceland” marketing project, hosted a four-day tour of Iceland for the winners of the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025, along with key stakeholders and selected media representatives.

The aim of the trip was to highlight the significance of Iceland’s fishing industry and to give guests an authentic experience of the Icelandic celebration, “Fisherman’s Day” in a traditional fishing village.

The journey began in the northern town of Siglufjörður, where the group visited Ísfélagið/Rammi, a major producer of sea-frozen fillets for the UK market and toured the impressive freezer trawler Sólberg ÓF-1.

The day also included visits to the Samherji processing plant in Dalvík, a beer tasting at Segull 67, and a relaxing soak in Hauganes hot pots. On the way east, the group stopped for refreshments at Fish & Chips by Lake Mývatn and Fjallakaffi in Möðrudalur á Fjöllum.

In East Iceland, the guests joined the Fisherman’s Day festivities in Neskaupstaður, where they received a warm welcome from the local community.

A highlight was a celebratory sailing trip to in Norðfjördur under perfect weather conditions. Guests enjoyed fish stew at Beitiskúrinn and cheered on local rowers in the traditional competition. The day ended with a festive dinner and Fisherman’s Day Ball hosted by Síldarvinnslan.

The itinerary also included visits to the village of Mjóeyri, the historic Randulffssjóhús in Eskifjörður (a restaurant in an old Norwegian herring fishing house), and the reindeer farm in Fellabær, concluding with a relaxing dip at VÖK Baths near Egilsstaðir.

Fish & Chips by Lake Mývatn

Everywhere they went, the group was met with warmth and hospitality.

Graeme William Burrell, owner of Yarm Road Fish and Chips and winner of the Best Fish & Chip Restaurant in the UK, shared his impressions:
“The reception here in Iceland has been exceptional. Everyone has been incredibly friendly and hospitable. The visits were highly informative, and we now have a much deeper understanding of what Icelandic fish represents.”
Graeme was especially moved by the visit to Neskaupstaður, where he boarded the freezer trawler Blængur NK 125, a vessel he regularly sources fish from.

Josette Foster. owner of Fish & Chip Weston Grove in Chester and board member of the National Federation of Fish Friers reflected on the experience:
“It’s hard to put a price on this trip. We’ve seen so many exciting things. The nature, the food, the company, and the Icelandic hospitality have all been truly outstanding. It’s clear that the Icelandic fishing industry is doing remarkable work.”

This visit offered firsthand insight into the strength and quality of Iceland’s fishing sector. Now back in the UK, Graeme and Josette are sharing their unforgettable experiences, about the fish, the people, and the vibrant culture of Iceland’s coastal communities.

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Photos from the trip © Business Iceland