National Fish & Chip Awards 2027 Launch celebrates industry excellence and future growth. The National Fish & Chip Awards 2027 were officially launched at Trenchers of Whitby, bringing together industry leaders, sponsors, former winners and finalists to celebrate one of the sector’s most prestigious competitions and highlight the vital role the awards play in supporting Britain’s fish and chip industry.
Opening the event at Trenchers, which was named Restaurant of the Year in February, National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) President, Andrew Crook, welcomed guests and emphasised the significance of the awards.
“These awards don’t just celebrate outstanding fish and chip businesses – they help drive sales across the industry and promote fish and chips nationwide.”
Andrew thanked Trenchers for hosting the event, along with Collin’s Seafood, Dennis Crooks and Wilson’s for supplying the fish and potatoes served during the launch. He also stressed that the awards belong to the industry as a whole.
“We’re simply custodians of the awards,” he said. “They belong to the industry, and we’re committed to ensuring they continue to deliver the greatest possible impact.”
He also highlighted the educational opportunities available to finalists, including industry visits to Iceland and Norway, which provide first-hand insight into the seafood supply chain.
A partnership that goes beyond sponsorship
Representing one of the awards’ principal partners, Bjørn-Erik Stabell of the Norwegian Seafood Council described the relationship between the Council and the UK fish and chip sector as far more than a sponsorship.
“It is a real privilege to be here with you today,” he said. “We are incredibly proud to stand among friends, partners and people who care deeply about both the current state and the future of fish and chips.”
According to Bjørn-Erik, the partnership has evolved into a year-round collaboration that enables both industries to learn from one another.
“The awards have become much more than sponsorship. They have become a genuine partnership.”
Throughout the year, the Norwegian seafood industry meets with UK fish and chip operators at a series of events, culminating in educational visits to Norway and to Iceland, where finalists see first-hand how premium seafood is caught, processed and supplied.
“These meetings aren’t about telling each other what to do,” Bjørn-Erik explained. “They’re about inspiring one another to develop our businesses. There are no simple answers, but together we can continue moving the industry forward.”
He also praised the next generation of fish friers, saying the future of the industry is in safe hands.
“I’m incredibly optimistic about the future because you have a fantastic combination of experienced professionals and talented young people who will shape the industry’s future. We are better together, and we are stronger together.”
Supporting seafaring families
The launch also highlighted the awards’ charitable partnership, with representatives from the Sailor’s Children’s Society, thanking the industry for its continued generosity.
Rio Beeson, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Sailors’ Children’s Society, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Smales and everyone involved for their ongoing support. Raising more than £1,200 from a single lunchtime event is a fantastic achievement and every penny will help us continue supporting children and families from seafaring backgrounds who are facing crisis.
Following last year’s awards ceremony, more than £17,000 was raised to support families of seafarers facing hardship.
The charity, which has supported seafaring families for more than 200 years, provides grants for families experiencing bereavement, injury, financial hardship and family breakdown, as well as funding school uniforms, clothing and respite support.
“Thanks to the money raised by the industry, we have been able to support 24 families,” attendees heard.
Seeing the supply chain first-hand
Previous award winners spoke passionately about the educational trips to Norway and to Iceland, describing them as one of the most valuable aspects of the competition.
Aman Dhesi, co-owner with his brother Gavin, of The Scrap Box, which won the takeaway prize earlier this year, explained that seeing every stage of the seafood supply chain had transformed the way they communicate with customers.
“Being able to understand the supply chain and then share that story with customers is invaluable. The provenance of our fish is something we should all champion, and these trips give us the knowledge and confidence to do exactly that.”
The opportunity to develop closer relationships with suppliers was also highlighted as a major benefit.
Life-changing opportunities
For several former winners, the impact of the awards has extended well beyond industry recognition.
James Ellams from Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove, winner of the prestigious Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year trophy, described winning as “life-changing.”
Gavin Dhesi from Scrap Box, said: “winning has genuinely changed our lives, not just because of what it’s done for the business, but because of the confidence it’s given us to keep progressing and pursuing our ambitions.
“Since winning, business has almost doubled, with many new customers discovering the shop for the first time before becoming regular visitors.
“Our location had always been busy, but we needed something to encourage people to come in and try the food. The awards gave people that confidence, and they’ve kept coming back.”
That success has encouraged the business to consider ambitious expansion plans.
“We’ve always looked at London as somewhere we’d like to open another shop. Winning the award has given us the confidence to seriously pursue that goal.”
Growing businesses through the awards
Andrew Wilkinson, general manager at Trenchers, explained how the awards had played a central role in the growth of their business.
“The whole journey, from first entering in 2011 to winning this year, has helped our business enormously,” he said.
“While we’d always been relatively busy, the awards gave us opportunities to learn from our peers, build relationships across the industry and develop our team. That knowledge helped us expand and open two additional sites.”
He added that the learning gained throughout the competition had been just as valuable as winning itself.
Advice for future entrants
Asked what advice they would offer businesses considering entering, every former winner delivered the same message: simply enter.
“I’d say just go for it,” said James. “Whether you’re 16, 17 or 18, or further into your career, you’ve got nothing to lose. It’s completely changed my life, given me confidence and introduced me to some incredible people.”
Gavin Dhesi echoed that sentiment.
“The barriers to entry are low, especially in the early rounds. You don’t need a perfect shop or the latest equipment. What really matters is passion, pride in what you do and believing you run a great business.”
Others admitted they had delayed entering because they believed their businesses weren’t good enough.
“We waited a few years because we thought we weren’t perfect,” Aman Dhesi admitted. “But the learning process alone is worth it. We reached the top 40 one year and the top 10 the next, and everything we learned along the way has improved our business enormously.”
As the event concluded, Andrew Crook thanked everyone involved in making the launch possible and congratulated the previous winners in attendance.
With entries now open for the National Fish & Chip Awards 2027, the message from organisers, sponsors and former champions was unanimous: the competition offers far more than trophies. It provides businesses with education, confidence, industry connections and opportunities that can transform both careers and businesses for years to come.
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Image: National Fish & Chip Awards 2027