NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS CROWNS GLASTONBURY CHIPPY WITH TOP-QUALITY PRIZE

National Fish & Chip Awards crowns Glastonbury chippy with top-quality prize. Somerset’s Knight’s Fish Restaurant has received the highest industry accolade, with the National Fish & Chip Awards declaring it the UK’s best for consistency, excellence and five-star flavour, earning it the Quality Accreditation Champion title.

The coveted award recognises fish and chip operators which have achieved the National Federation of Fish Friers’ (NFFF) Fish & Chip Quality Accreditation Scheme – a distinction reserved for those always hitting the mark with high standards, while making ongoing improvements. Certified businesses display a ‘Big Q’ badge to reassure customers that their fish and chip experience is of the best calibre.

With 38 years’ experience rewarding industry talent, the National Fish & Chip Awards is the official competition for the trade and is recognised by all sectors within it. The fish frying specialists behind the judging process have created an unmatched programme of assessments, interviews, inspections and anonymous food reviews to ensure a premium chippy tea tradition remains at the heart of British food culture.

Mister C’s in Selby, Yorkshire and Newington Fish Bar in Ramsgate, Kent, were the other competitors in the fantastic line-up but it was Knights Fish Restaurant which ruled. The trophy was presented to the team by the award ceremony emcee, TV host and comedic actor Stephen Mangan.

The award win confirms that diners at the chippy are in for a meal fit for royalty. Responding to the news, George Morey, manager and fifth-generation family member at Knights, said: “Winning the NFFF Quality Accreditation Champion award is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Knights. This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to continually bettering ourselves and raising standards.

“We have been part of formal quality assessment schemes for decades — from the early Seafish programme through to being involved from the very beginning of the NFFF Quality Accreditation Scheme — and that consistent engagement has helped shape the way we operate today.”

George continues:

“The honest, expert feedback — whether identifying refinements or highlighting oversights in today’s fast-moving legislative world — enables us to strengthen, adapt and future-proof our business. We learn, improvise, adapt and overcome.

“The NFFF has long been a cornerstone of our business, and this win cements that relationship. But we are not finished — not even close! Longevity comes from humility, listening, and from a relentless commitment to improve. We are proud and thankful today, but tomorrow we keep learning.”

The National Federation of Fish Friers also organises the annual awards, led by President Andrew Crook who emphasises that the category’s importance is heightened at a time when customers are placing greater focus on trust and quality.:

“Quality Accreditation Champion is one of the most difficult industry awards to win as the benchmarks are set at an unprecedented level. It requires businesses to be committed to the long game of growth and development.

“This achievement has been a long time coming for Knights. The family-run business has been a NFFF member since 1940 and it has been on an inspiring journey of continuous learning, refining, significant financial investments and improvements. It’s not by chance that it has rave reviews and customers flocking from far and wide.

“The team’s steady progress and industry support along the way has led to this wonderful moment but there are even bigger rewards beyond this to come, and we couldn’t be happier for them.”

Knights Fish Restaurant and the other winners from the awards have been invited on an exclusive study trip to Norway, hosted on board the long-liner vessel Geir, where they will see first-hand how Norwegian seafood is responsibly sourced at sea. The visit will give operators direct insight into the country’s science-led fisheries model, helping to bring origin, provenance and sustainability to life.

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.nfff.co.uk/awards.

Image: NFFF